HBHMKHHMHIMI 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 


I'NCI.K    ASA    TOOK    C1IARGK    NOW. — P(I(JC  70. 


THE 
CASTLE  BUILDERS 

••» 

BY 

CHARLES  CLARK  MUNN 


ILLUSTRATED  BY 

FRANK  T.  MERRILL 


NEW    YORK 

GROSSET    &    DUNLAP 

PUBLISHERS 


Published,  August,  1910 


COPYRIGHT,  1910,  BY  LOTHROP,  LEE  &  SHEPARD  Co* 


All  rights  reserved 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 


PREFACE 

A  few  men  awe  us  by  their  dauntless  courage,  far 
vision,  primal  force,  and  power  of  leadership.  Men 
"  who  blaze  their  way  where  never  highway  ran." 
Many  more  charm  us  by  wit,  humor,  and  ability  to 
discover  and  express  the  droll  side  of  ordinary 
events;  while  still  more  interest  us  by  simple  kind- 
ness and  everyday  honesty.  But  among  all  the 
types  I  have  met  and  studied,  none  appeals  to  me 
more  forcibly  than  the  genial  optimist,  the  man  with 
philosophy  enough  to  see  the  silver  lining  back  of  all 
clouds,  to  point  it  out  to  us,  and  convince  us  that 
Rainbowville  is  still  on  the  map  of  our  lives.  It  is 
for  this  reason  that  I  have  selected  "  Uncle  Asa  " 
Webster  as  the  leading  character  in  this  book,  and 
used  a  pathetic  experience  in  his  life  as  the  basis  of 
the  story.  I  have  known  him  many  years,  and  his 
unfailing  ability  to  hear  larks  singing,  even  in  over- 
cast skies,  has  made  him  well  beloved  by  all  who 
are  favored  with  his  acquaintance.  And  inasmuch 
as  he  has  brought  a  ray  of  sunshine  to  me  in  many 
a  pessimistic  mood,  so  do  I  hope  he  may  to  my 
readers. 

CHARLES  CLARK  MUNN. 


2137301   | 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

CHAPTER  I 

FOR  four  hours  Stacy  Whipple  had  floundered 
and  fought  his  way  through  the  Mohawk- 
briared  morass  of  Bear  Hole  Swamp,  osten- 
sibly in  pursuit  of  trout,  in  reality  prospecting  for  a 
suitable  site  for  a  dam  and  reservoir  to  supply  elec- 
tric power  to  Barre,  a  small  coast  city  fourteen  miles 
away  beyond  a  low  range  of  mountains.  He  had 
lost  his  package  of  lunch  early  that  June  day,  ruined 
his  supply  of  cigars  and  matches  by  a  souse  into  the 
stream  from  a  moss-coated  log,  and  lost  his  tem- 
per many  times  over.  And  then  with  a  vague  idea 
that  this  swamp  must  be  about  all  there  was  of 
Oakdale,  he  finally  reached  hard  soil  once  more,  and 
a  faintly  defined  path  downward  and  alongside  a 
cascading  stream  overhung  by  pines.  Here  the 
path,  velvety  from  many  years'  deposit  of  needles, 
soon  soothed  his  ruffled  temper.  A  quarter-mile  of 
such  consolation  disclosed  an  opening  just  ahead 
between  abutting  hills,  and  here  he  halted;  for  up 
from  this  and  mingling  with  the  soft  sighing  of  the 

I 


2  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

green  canopy  above  him  came  the  faint,  metallic 
"  plink  plink "  of  some  musical  instrument.  So 
weird  and  witching  was  it  —  almost  uncanny  — 
that  he  stood  stock-still,  even  forgetting  his  half- 
starved  condition  for  a  moment.  Then,  as  the  mur- 
mur of  the  pines  died  away,  the  ghostly  melody 
resolved  itself  into  the  old  familiar  plantation  tune 
of  "  Don't  You  Hear  Dem  Bells  A-Ringing?  " 

For  fully  five  minutes  Stacy  stood  almost  breath- 
less to  catch  this  strangely  sweet  old-time  melody, 
faint  in  the  distance,  then  step  by  step  crept  onward. 
Ten,  twenty,  thirty  rods,  and  he  halted  again,  for 
just  ahead  in  the  open  sat  a  girl,  leaning  against  the 
trunk  of  a  monster  pine,  and  holding  in  her  lap  an 
auto-harp. 

A  simply-made,  well-fitting  calico  dress  enclosed 
her  daintily  rounded  form,  two  low  tan  shoes 
pointed  their  toes  upward,  a  broad  sun-hat  lay  be- 
side her;  her  face,  sweet,  sun-tanned,  yet  dreamy 
from  soul-absorption  in  her  music,  was  bent  over 
her  harp,  while  two  small  hands  swept  back  and 
forth  across  its  strings.  So  charming  was  this  pic- 
ture that  Stacy  forgot  the  rudeness  of  his  act  and 
watched  it  for  a  long  minute  of  almost  trance. 
Then  he  strode  forward  out  of  the  thicket  with  a 
"  Beg  pardon,  don't  be  scared,"  to  save  her  from 
fright. 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  3 

His  effort  failed,  however,  for  with  a  scream  that 
was  almost  of  fear,  she  tossed  the  harp  aside,  sprang 
up,  bounded  a  rod  away,  then  turned  and  faced  him. 

"  Don't  be  frightened,  please,"  he  added  assur- 
ingly,  and  bowing  now,  as  he  raised  his  cap.  "  I 
am  only  a  harmless  fisherman  just  escaped  from 
the  swamp  back  there,  and  nearly  starved."  Then 
glancing  towards  the  roof  of  an  old  brown  house 
barely  visible  below  them,  he  continued,  "  Do  you 
think  I  can  buy  something  to  eat  at  your  home,  as 
I  suppose  it  is,  down  there  ?  " 

"  I  g-guess  so,"  she  stammered,  still  watching 
him  with  wide-open,  fathomless  eyes.  And  now 
as  his  mud-splashed,  scratched,  yet  open  and  smil- 
ing face  reassured  her,  a  smile  came  to  hers. 

"  That  is  my  home,  sir,"  she  continued  with  dig- 
nity now,  "  and  I  presume  mother  will  find  some- 
thing for  you." 

And  now,  as  man  and  maid  stood  watching  one 
another,  Stacy  smiling  genially  as  was  his  wont, 
she  still  curious,  a  smile  spread  over  her  round,  pi- 
quant face. 

"  But  you  did  give  me  an  awful  fright,"  she  said. 

"  I  know  it,"  he  returned  humbly  now,  "  but  I 
didn't  mean  to.  I  had  to  come  out  of  the  woods, 
you  see." 

And  so  these  two,  Miss  Hazel  Webster,  a  keen- 


4  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

witted,  sweetly  simple  country  girl  aged  twenty- 
one,  and  Stacy  Whipple,  a  polished  city-bred  man 
of  thirty,  first  met.  And  neither  realized  how  the 
shuttle  of  fate  and  fortune  was  destined  to  weave 
into  their  lives  the  warp  and  woof  of  human  happi- 
ness and  human  suffering. 

Just  then,  however,  food  was  of  more  account 
than  even  the  fairest  of  rustic  maids  to  Stacy,  so 
with  another  bow  and  tip  of  cap  to  this  one,  he 
turned  and  left  her.  A  few  rods  down  the  open 
pasture  and  a  tall,  bent  old  man,  wielding  a  hoe  in 
a  potato  field  beside  it,  caught  his  eye.  To  him,  as 
the  likeliest  one  to  obtain  food  from,  Stacy  now 
went. 

"  Good  morning,  sir,"  he  said  with  his  usual  form 
of  address,  whatever  the  time  of  day.  "  I  am  a 
half-starved  man  just  escaped  from  an  all-day 
scramble  through  Bear  Hole  Swamp,"  he  added,  as 
the  farmer  looked  up,  "  and  will  pay  well  for  some- 
thing to  eat.  Can  you  do  anything  for  me  ?  " 

"  Wai,  ye  look  it,"  answered  Uncle  Asa,  smiling 
at  him  with  keen,  kindly  blue  eyes.  "  B'ar  Hole's 
a  tough  un  to  tackle,  speshly  by  a  city  feller,  ez  I 
see  you  be.  I  guess  we  kin  fix  ye  up  suthin',"  he 
continued,  now  leading  the  way  toward  the  house. 
"  Come  along,  V  I'll  see  what  Martha  kin  do." 

"  My  name's  Whipple,  Stacy  Whipple  from  Al- 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  5 

bion,"  Stacy  continued,  feeling  that  some  introduc- 
tion of  himself  was  next  in  order,  as  they  started 
on.  "  I  came  up  to  spend  a  week  brook-trout  fish- 
ing, and  the  landlord  of  your  hotel  set  me  at  it  this 
morning  and  into  the  worst  swamp  that  ever  was." 

"  'N'  mine's  Webster,  Asa  Webster,"  he  re- 
sponded, now  chuckling,  "  'n'  that's  Sam  all  over. 
He  allus  plays  B'ar  Hole  off  on  every  strange  fisher- 
man that  comes  here,  'n'  gits  the  laugh  on  'em." 
Then  Uncle  Asa  laughed  himself. 

"  Well,  he  caught  me,"  rejoined  Stacy  ruefully. 
"  I  am  it,  I  guess,  for  a  tenderfoot." 

"  Yaas,  I  guess  ye  kin  figger  it  that  way," 
drawled  Uncle  Asa,  "  'n'  Sam  allus  works  it  on 
newcomers  arter  trout.  Tells  'em  B'ar  Hole 
brook's  full  on  'em,  'n'  in  they  go.  You  ain't  the 
fust  un  that's  fetched  out  here  perty  much  bushed. 
You  kin  bet  Sam's  ben  laughin'  all  day  thinkin' 
'bout  ye.  Did  ye  ketch  any,  though  ?  "  he  queried 
as  they  neared  the  house. 

"  I  got  quite  a  number  in  the  morning,"  re- 
sponded Stacy,  opening  his  basket  eagerly,  as  all 
fishermen  will.  "  Then  after  an  hour  the  swamp 
got  so  bad  I  gave  up  fishing." 

"  Wai,  ye  done  well,"  asserted  Uncle  Asa  with 
an  accent  of  praise  and  peep  into  the  basket.  "  Bet- 
ter'n  most  do.  One  o'.  yours '11  weigh  'most  a 


6  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

pound.  Jist  you  keep  still  'bout  the  swamp  when 
you  git  back,  'n'  you'll  kinder  spile  Sam's  laugh  at 
ye.  He's  got  it  waitin'  fer  ye,  sure's  a  gun." 

Then  this  lovable  old  Good  Samaritan  led  the 
mud-soiled  Stacy  into  a  back  kitchen,  where  there 
was  a  stone  sink  and  faucet  for  running  water, 
brought  a  cake  of  toilet  soap  and  clean  towel,  and 
returned  to  the  next  or  main  kitchen  of  this  antique 
abode. 

"  Martha,"  he  said  pleasantly  (and  overheard  by 
Stacy),  "  I've  fetched  a  man  in  who's  'most  starved. 
What  kin  ye  do  for  him  ?  " 

"  Why,  I  kin  git  him  some  bread  'n'  butter,  I 
s'pose,"  came  the  acidulated  answer ;  "  thar  ain't  no 
cold  meat  in  the  house." 

"  Ye  might  fry  him  a  slice  o'  ham,  Martha,"  re- 
turned Uncle  Asa  in  soothing  tone,  "  'n'  I'll  dress 
him  a  few  o'  his  trout;  he's  perty  hungry." 

"  Me  fry  trout  this  hot  afternoon?  Guess  not !  " 
growled  Martha. 

"  But  ye  might,"  persisted  Uncle  Asa  soothingly. 
"  He  seems  a  pleasant  sort  o'  feller.  A  stranger 
who  come  here  a  fishin'.  Don't  be  fretty,  Martha. 
I'll  start  the  fire.  Whar's  Hazel  ?  " 

"  Whar  she  allus  is  when  wanted,"  came  the 
sharp  rejoinder.  "  A-plinkin'  on  that  new  contrap- 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  7 

tion  you  bought  her,  in  some  shady  spot,  'n'  leavin' 
me  to  do  the  work." 

And  that  brief  yet  quite  pertinent  dialogue  now 
disclosed  the  domestic  status  of  this  family  to  Stacy 
as  fully  as  an  hour's  history  of  it  could  have  done. 

He  also  soon  caught  sight  of  a  fairly  comely 
woman  of  middle  age  and  red  hair  through  an  open 
window  of  the  main  kitchen  as  he  emerged  from 
the  back  one,  saw  the  girl  he  had  come  upon  so 
suddenly  now  enter  the  house,  and  then  he  retreated 
to  the  shade  of  a  maple  beneath  which  stood  a 
grindstone,  to  be  out  of  hearing  of  any  further  do- 
mestic exchanges. 

"  Can't  be  she's  her  mother,"  he  muttered,  seat- 
ing himself  here.  "  It  doesn't  seem  possible." 
And  then  after  half  an  hour  and  more  of  surmising 
upon  the  mutual  relationship  of  these  three  people, 
he  was  invited  into  the  living  room  of  "  Uncle 
Asa,"  so  known  all  over  the  town  of  Oakdale. 
Here,  also,  another  surprise  awaited  him  in  the  per- 
son of  the  aforesaid  Hazel,  now  dressed  in  white, 
who  greeted  him  with  quiet,  smiling  dignity,  and 
served  him  a  meal  of  ham  and  eggs,  fried  trout,  and 
coffee,  with  a  dish  of  field  strawberries ;  all  of  which 
proved  a  repast  relished  as  never  one  before  in  his 
life  ever  had  been.  No  awkward  diffidence  on  her 


8  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

part,  just  an  easy,  pleasant  urbanity  and  attention 
to  his  wants,  a  few  polite  inquiries  as  to  his  ex- 
periences that  day  in  the  swamp,  and  for  the  rest 
he  was  left  to  do  most  of  the  talking.  He  had  ex- 
pected her  to  be  a  shy  and  quite  rural  and  rustic 
maid,  but  she  proved  herself  a  young  lady  of  speech, 
manners,  and  refinement  quite  above  and  beyond 
her  surroundings.  The  quaint  room  with  its  worn 
rag-carpet,  chintz-covered  settle,  and  open  fireplace 
added  charm.  He  noticed  the  ancient  brass  fire 
dogs,  and  also  a  bunch  of  freshly  picked  lilacs  in 
a  pitcher  minus  the  handle  on  the  table  set  with 
very  old  blue  china,  while  through  the  open  win- 
dows came  the  sweet  fragrance  of  apple  blos- 
soms. All  in  all,  a  meal,  a  hostess,  and  a  service 
quite  charming  and  unexpected. 

And  now  a  peculiar  dilemma  faced  Stacy.  To 
ask  this  dignified  young  lady  how  much  he  owed 
for  the  meal,  he  dare  not,  nor  even  to  tender  her 
any  payment.  To  leave  such  under  his  plate  or  go 
out  to  the  field  and  offer  it  to  Uncle  Asa  seemed 
equally  out  of  place,  and  how  to  square  himself  for 
his  entertainment  was  a  problem.  In  the  end,  and 
after  profuse  thanks  to  the  girl,  or  rather  young 
lady,  whom  he  now  addressed  as  Miss  Webster,  he 
bethought  himself  of  the  elder  and  sour-spoken 
Martha,  stepped  into  her  lair  —  the  kitchen  —  and 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  9 

with  a  "  Please  accept  this,  madam,  with  many 
thanks  for  your  kindness,"  handed  her  a  dollar  and 
made  his  exit.  Outside,  he  glanced  around  the 
premises  once  more,  saw  how  old  and  worn-out 
they  were:  house  moss-coated  from  age,  barn 
propped  up  by  timbers,  and  in  every  respect  a  home 
more  ancient  than  Uncle  Asa  himself,  whom  he 
now  saw  back  in  his  field,  and  once  more  Stacy 
sought  him  before  departing. 

"  Wai,  did  ye  make  out  to  git  enough  to  eat  ?  " 
asked  Uncle  Asa,  smiling  in  a  genial  way. 

"  I  had  the  meal  of  my  life,"  returned  Stacy 
earnestly,  "  and  one  I'll  never  forget,  thanks  to  you 
all." 

"  Ye  war  middlin'  hungry,  I  cal'late,"  answered 
Uncle  Asa,  "  'n'  it's  good  appetite  ez  makes  good 
vittles.  Only  ye  don't  want  to  let  on  to  Sam  'bout 
the  swamp,"  he  added  benignly.  "  Sam's  a  dabster 
fer  riggin'  a  body  if  he  gets  the  chance.  Now 
thar's  'bout  a  dozen  good  trout  left  in  your  basket; 
I  fixed  'em  up  with  grass,  'n'  you  jist  tell  Sam  B'ar 
Hole's  all  right,  best  trout  brook  ye  ever  saw,  'n' 
show  them  trout,  'n'  you'll  shet  him  up." 

"I  will,  and  gladly,"  returned  Stacy.  "And 
now  I've  another  favor  to  ask.  I'm  here  for  a 
few  days'  fishing.  You  must  know  all  the  good 
brooks  hereabouts,  and  now  can't  I  induce  you  to 


12  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

possibilities,  never  failed  to  be  luxurious,  charm- 
ing, grand,  and  beautiful  in  form,  color,  and  con- 
struction. And  best  of  all,  the  soul-life  of  the 
people  who  dwelt  in  them  was  as  much  so.  A  quite 
idyllic  gathering  of  the  best  and  noblest  of  men 
and  women  as  companions  for  his  future.  In  a 
way,  his  nature  was  a  contradiction,  and  he  might 
fairly  be  called  a  cynical  optimist 

Only  one  minor  love  episode  had  ever  ruffled  the 
smooth  current  of  his  life,  a  rather  hectic  and  lurid 
one  with  a  fair  Spanish  lady  of  dreamy  eyes  who 
was  two  years  his  senior  in  age,  and  ten  in  love 
experience.  This  "  fool  illusion,"  as  he  afterwards 
called  it,  lasted  just  eight  months;  its  awakening 
was  to  find  "  La  Rosa  Carmen  "  was  not  only  lead- 
ing him  a  Cupid's  dance,  but  at  the  same  time  in- 
fatuating a  music  teacher  who  spent  most  of  his 
earnings  on  her  and  let  his  wife  and  two  children 
go  with  little  more  than  food  and  shelter.  Stacy, 
more  worldly-wise  than  most  men,  did  not  even  hint 
a  reproach  —  just  packed  his  grip  and  hied  himself 
away  to  the  West  without  even  a  farewell  note  to 
his  charmer.  Neither  did  it  take  him  long  to  re- 
cover from  this  episode,  for  he  was  one  to  whom 
heart  troubles  so  far  had  not  been  serious  matters. 
He  had  come  up  to  this  sequestered  byway  town, 
located  at  the  confluence  of  two  streams,  shut  in  be- 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  13 

tween  ranges  of  mountains  and  four  miles  from 
the  ocean  —  or  at  the  end  of  an  inlet  called  Elbow 
Creek  —  and  ten  miles  from  the  nearest  railroad 
station,  as  stated,  to  prospect  for  an  available  loca- 
tion for  an  electric  light  and  power  plant  for  the 
seaport  of  Barre.  No  hint  of  this  must  escape  him 
until  he  had  made  due  selection  and  report,  also  se- 
cured options ;  else  the  price  of  swamp  lands  would 
soar  in  Oakdale.  This  was  his  real  mission  here, 
to  fish  was  his  excuse  for  it;  and  now,  well  away 
from  Uncle  Asa's  home,  with  two  hours  more  of 
daylight,  he  turned  from  the  main  road,  crossed  an 
upward  slope  of  bush-grown  pasture,  and  ascended 
to  the  top  of  a  high  hill  to  survey  Oakdale.  Back 
of  this  lay  the  pathless  tangle  of  swamp  he  had 
crossed  that  day;  at  its  foot  and  midway  of  a 
pocket  between  low  hills,  the  ancient  gambrel- 
roofed  abode  of  Uncle  Asa;  to  the  westward,  the 
widely  scattered  farmhouses  of  this  hill-enclosed 
town,  with  a  group  of  them  and  two  churches  mid- 
way of  the  valley,  while  far  to  southward  lay  the 
bordering  ocean,  white-capped  and  sparkling.  The 
widely-apart  houses  were  mostly  brown  and  ancient 
like  the  one  nearest  him,  patches  of  woods  predomi- 
nated over  open  fields,  and  the  entire  impress  of  this 
hamlet  was  very  rural,  quite  picturesque,  and  en- 
tirely peaceful.  Life  here  was  self-evidently  akin 


14  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

to  the  landscape,  simple,  quiet,  and  without  excite- 
ment or  current.  And  just  now,  viewing  this  and 
realizing  this,  his  mission  here  and  its  probable  out- 
come recurred  to  him.  Also  how,  by  the  magic  of 
a  power  he  was  to  evoke  from  one  of  these  streams, 
factories  would  arise,  new  people  —  workers  in 
these  —  crowd  themselves  into  this  quiet  hamlet,  a 
trolley  line  supplant  the  old-fashioned  stage  that 
brought  him,  and  the  great  outside  world  come  and 
take  slow  but  sure  possession. 

"  It's  a  shame  to  spoil  this  sequestered  nook,"  he 
said  to  himself  as  if  prophesying,  "  but  it  can't  be 
helped.  It's  the  march  of  progress,  the  tide  of 
change  and  innovation."  Then  glancing  at  the  sun, 
now  glowing  blood-red  through  the  green  trees  of  a 
low  mountain  top,  he  made  his  way  down  into  the 
valley. 

And  just  previous  to  this  occurred  another  inci- 
dent of  this  narrative  which  concerns  the  relations 
of  Miss  Hazel  Webster  and  her  step-mother 
Martha  who,  as  the  townsfolk  all  said,  were  "  allus 
at  swords'  points,"  as  might  be  expected.  Hazel 
had  witnessed  through  the  open  kitchen  door  the 
tender  of  money  by  Stacy  in  payment  for  his  meal, 
had  seen  her  mother  snatch  it  eagerly  and  thrust  it 
into  her  apron  pocket,  and  her  less  sordid  soul  re- 
volted at  once. 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  15 

"  Mother,"  she  said,  entering  the  kitchen,  her  face 
aflame,  as  soon  as  Stacy  was  well  away,  "  you  had 
no  right  to  take  a  dollar  from  that  man  for  his 
dinner  and  I  am  ashamed  for  you.  He  must  think 
us  very  mean  and  grasping." 

"  I'll  take  what's  given  me,"  returned  her  mother 
sharply,  "  'n'  I  dunno's  it's  any  o'  your  business, 
either." 

"  It's  mine  as  much  as  yours,"  answered  Hazel 
with  rising  wrath,  "and  he  will  have  good  reason 
to  think  us  mean,  I  say." 

"  Wai,  say  it  all  you  want  to,"  snarled  Martha, 
turning  away,  "  'n'  if  ye  don't  like  my  way  o'  doin 
things  ye  ain't  'bleeged  to  stay  here,  I  s'pose  ye 
know." 

And  poor  Hazel,  to  whom  the  coming  of  this 
woman  to  replace  her  own  mother  nine  years  be- 
fore had  been  gall  and  bitterness,  took  herself  away 
for  the  girlish  consolation  of  tears. 

Later,  when  he  came  for  his  two  milk  pails,  she 
followed  her  father  to  where  the  cows  awaited  his 
attention. 

"  Father,"  she  said,  coming  to  the  point  at  once, 
with  eyes  still  red,  "  I  can't  stand  mother's  ways 
any  longer.  Please,  may  I  go  away  and  teach 
school  in  Barre  when  September  comes?  There  is 
a  girl,  Jennie  Oaks  —  you  know  her  —  she  was  in 


i6  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

school  with  me  there,  and  she  has  promised  to  get 
me  a  place.  May  I  go,  father?" 

"  Oh,  don't  ye  mind  Martha,  little  girl,"  he  an- 
swered tenderly.  "  She's  fretty,  'n'  her  ways  ain't 
our  ways.  Kinder  bossy,  I  know,  but  she  means 
well,  I  cal'late.  What's  up  now,  girlie  ?  "  And  he 
smiled  at  Hazel  in  his  usual  benign  way. 

And  Hazel,  with  more  spirit  than  he,  yet  as  ten- 
der-hearted, told  him  all  that  had  happened. 

"  Wai,  wal,  don't  ye  mind,  girlie,  don't  ye  mind," 
he  assured  her  soothingly.  "  We  must  put  up  with 
Martha's  ways,  you  'n'  I.  But  I  can't  spare  ye,  no- 
how. I  —  I  meant  well  bringin'  Martha  here,"  he 
added  after  a  pause,  "  better'n  it's  turned  out, 
mebbe,  but  I  can't  let  ye  go.  I'd  gin  the  house  up 
to  her  fust,  'n'  go  with  ye  —  som'ers. 

"  Thar's  'nother  thing  I  might  ez  well  tell  ye, 
Hazel,"  he  continued  more  tenderly,  "  'n'  mebbe 
it'll  sorter  rekonsile  ye  to  matters  ez  they  be.  I've 
fixed  my  will  so-  you'll  git  everything  I  kin  give  ye 
'cordin'  to  law  when  I  go,  'n'  that  mine  stock's  in 
your  name.  When  I'm  through,  you'll  come  perty 
near  bein'  able  to  order  her  to  git  out  if  ye  feel 
like  it.  'N' — wal,  I  hope  ye  will,  girlie.  Ef 
'twa'n't  fer  the  speech  o'  people,  I'd  do  it  myself 
now."  Then,  and  as  if  this  assurance  —  never  be- 
fore admitted  by  him  —  must  be  oil  upon  the 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  17 

troubled  waters  of  their  home  life,  he  turned  away. 

And  poor  motherless  Hazel,  more  heartbroken 
than  ever,  walked  slowly  up  the  hill,  biting  her  lips 
to  keep  back  the  tears.  Here  she  sat  down  beneath 
her  old  pine  tree  to  watch  the  sunset  with  wet  eyes. 

To  her,  just  then,  life  seemed  like  that. 


CHAPTER  II 

FOREWARNED  now  of  what  to  expect  from 
Sam  Gates,  the  joke-loving  landlord  of  the 
Oakdale  House,  Stacy  halted  outside  "  The 
Corners,"  as  that  village  was  called,  to  do  what  all 
trout  fishermen  ever  will  do  —  put  the  big  ones 
on  top  in  his  basket.  To  his  surprise,  also,  he 
found  more  in  it  than  he  supposed  —  in  fact,  four- 
teen, and  three  of  them  would  weigh  a  pound  each. 
He  recalled  catching  one  extra  big  one  early  that 
day,  but  here  were  three,  and  a  total  of  more  than 
he  supposed  he  had  caught,  including  the  six  small 
ones  cooked  for  his  dinner!  It  was  a  satisfying 
exhibit  most  certainly,  if  unaccountable,  and  the 
only  solution,  which  soon  came  to  Stacy,  was  that 
Uncle  Asa  must  have  added  some  to  his  catch. 
But  how  and  when? 

"  Bless  his  old  heart,"  muttered  Stacy,  now 
spreading  handfuls  of  fresh  green  grass  between 
each  layer  of  fish  as  he  repacked  them,  big  ones  on 
top ;  "  but  he  is  all  wool  and  a  yard  wide !  "  Then, 
and  thus  equipped  to  turn  the  tables  on  Sam,  he 
strode  onward,  light-hearted.  As  he  expected,  he 

18 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  19 

found  that  genial  Boniface  with  a  retinue  of  four 
of  the  village  "Old  Guard"  all  tilted  back  in 
chairs  on  the  hotel  piazza,  and  evidently  awaiting 
him  as  he  drew  near.  On  the  face  of  each  was  an 
expectant  grin. 

"  Wai,"  drawled  Sam  as  he  came  up,  "  what  luck 
did  ye  hev?  Ketch  a  basketful?  " 

"  I  did,"  returned  Stacy  proudly,  "  and  the  best 
day's  sport  I  ever  had !  That  Bear  Swamp  brook  is 
a  dandy!  Why,  I  had  my  basket  plumb  full  before 
I  got  half  way  through!  A  little  brushy,  of  course, 
but  I  don't  mind  that  when  trout  are  plenty.  I've 
had  the  day  of  my  life  and  a  nice  mess  cooked  for 
my  dinner  at  a  farmhouse,"  he  added,  unslinging 
his  basket  and  dropping  it  in  front  of  the  now 
dum  founded  group. 

Not  a  word  did  one  of  them  utter  as  Sam  spread 
the  handsome  trout  side  by  side  on  the  piazza  while 
Stacy  watched  him  smilingly,  and  enjoyed  his  dis- 
comfiture. 

"  You  said  Bear  Hole  Brook  was  the  best  one 
for  trout  anywhere  about  here,  Sam,"  he  now 
drawled  in  imitation  of  that  worthy,  "  and  it  is.  I 
never  saw  its  equal  for  big  ones.  How  do  ye  like 
'em,  Sam?" 

Then  Sam  Gates,  the  inveterate  joker  who  had 
sent  many  a  city  sportsman  into  this  same  Mohawk- 


20  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

briared  morass  to  laugh  at  him  afterwards,  who 
•had  also  that  afternoon  sent  for  his  four  cronies 
to  come  and  enjoy  this  one's  detailed  experience, 
now  stared  first  at  the  array  of  big  trout,  then 
glanced  furtively  at  Stacy's  smiling  face  and  then 
at  the  grinning  ones  of  the  Old  Guard  and  sank 
back  into  his  chair  crestfallen. 

"  Wai,  by  hokey,  it  beats  me,"  he  gasped. 
"  Knocks  me  clar  inter  the  middle  o'  last  week ! 
But  you're  the  fust  man  who  ever  cum  out  o'  B'ar 
Hole  with  a  string  like  that,  you  be !  "  And  he 
looked  helplessly  around  at  his  cronies. 

And  then,  as  if  by  one  accord,  they  burst  into 
simultaneous  laughter! 

"  Guess  it's  on  yew,  Sam,"  drawled  Bascom,  the 
leader  of  the  four,  "  V  'bout  time  to  set  'em  up 
'fore  we  go  hum  to  supper,  ain't  it,  Sam?  " 

And  Sam  Gates,  conscious  that  the  tables  had 
been  turned  on  him  handsomely,  ejaculated,  "  'Tis, 
I  guess;  come  on,"  and  led  the  way  into  his  bar- 
room. 

It  was  also  many  moons  ere  he  heard  the  last 
of  his  futile  and  loudly  proclaimed  joke  on  this 
"  city  feller,"  and  its  outcome. 

That  evening,  also,  when  he  and  Stacy  were 
alone  on  the  piazza  enjoying  an  after-supper  cigar 
and  cool  air,  there  came  from  him,  as  might  be  ex- 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  21 

pected,  a  revelation  anent  Uncle  Asa  Webster  and 
his  family  history,  now  especially  interesting  to 
Stacy. 

"  Yaas,  Uncle  Asa's  a  nice  man,"  he  ejaculated 
in  response  to  Stacy's  description  of  how  he  had 
been  cared  for  and  fed;  "one  o'  the  salt  of  the 
airth,  'n'  friend  o'  everybody.  His  gal,  Hazel,  too, 
is  sweeter'n  peaches  'n'  cream,  though  she  holds  her- 
self kinder  'bove  the  Oakdale  boys,  howsomever. 
She  teaches  school  over  west  side  to  kinder  help 
out,  'n'  sings  in  meetin',  too.  She  don't  hit  it  off 
with  her  stepmother,  though,  wuth  a  cuss.  Allus 
naggin'  one  anuther,  they  say,  'n'  nobody's  s'prised 
fer  this  un  —  she  was  the  Widder  Baker  'fore  she 
ketched  Uncle  Asa  —  allus  was  a  Tartar.  She's  a 
schemer,  too,  this  Martha  Baker  as  was.  Got  Jake 
to  deed  over  his  place  to  her,  take  out  some  in- 
surance fust  go-off,  'n'  then  druv  him  to  drink  with 
her  tantrums,  'n'  the  jims  finally,  so  he  hung  him- 
self in  the  barn.  She  had  two  boys,  wuthless 
scamps,  too.  Uncle  Asa  says  the  only  thing  they'll 
do  willingly  is  git  'round  to  meals  on  time.  He's 
a  nice  man,  ez  I  said,  but  he  got  roped  in  by  the 
widder. 

"  He  got  took  in  wuss'n  that,  too,  'n'  'bout  the 
same  time,"  added  Sam  after  pausing  to  relight  his 
cigar,  "  'n'  by  a  feller  named  Curtis  North.  Slick 


22  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

feller,  too,  who  come  up  here  fishin',  'n'  sold  him 
four  thousand  dollars  wuth  o'  minin'  stock  not 
wuth  a  cuss.  Skun  Uncle  Asa  out  o'  all  his  savin's 
with  his  palaver.  This  feller,  North,  was  the 
smartest  talker  I  ever  saw.  Said  he  war  a  banker 
also,  'n'  looked  the  part  with  his  white  side- 
whiskers  'n'  jovial  red  face,  city  togs,  'n'  watch  fob 
big  ez  a  hen's  egg.  He  stayed  'round  here  two 
weeks  to  do  the  trick.  Got  Uncle  Asa  to  take  him 
fishin',  went  to  prayer  meetin'  'n'  talked  'bout  how 
he  loved  the  Lord  'n'  tried  to  do  His  biddin',  'n'  all 
that  rot.  He  ketched  me,  too,  by  hokey,"  Sam  ad- 
mitted after  another  pause.  "  Ketched  me  fer  five 
hundred  o'  his  cussed  stock  in  the  Rawhide  Gold 
Mining  and  Reduction  Company  ez  the  sartificate 
has  printed  on  it  in  big  gold  letters.  Likewise  ten 
per  cent,  cumulative  dividends  payable  in  gold. 
They  must  'a'  ben  cumulatin'  ever  sence,  fer  I  hain't 
seen  any.  I've  got  that  sartificate  framed  jist  to 
prove  to  myself  how  many  kinds  o'  damn  fool  a 
man  kin  be  'n'  live." 

"  Did  you  try  Bear  Hole  Swamp  •  on  this 
sharper?"  interrupted  Stacy,  laughing.  "And  if 
so,  how  did  he  take  it  ?  " 

"  I  did,  o'  course,"  responded  Sam  with  a  droll 
look,  "  but  it  didn't  ketch  him ;  he  was  too  slick. 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  23 

Jist  turned  tail  'n'  come  back.  Said  he  didn't  feel 
much  like  fishin'  that  day.  I'd  give  up  'nother  hun- 
dred, though,  jist  to  drop  him  plumb  in  the  middle 
o'  that  tangle  once  fer  luck,  howsomever." 

"  Where  was  this  mine  swindle  located  ? " 
queried  Stacy,  recalling  the  scores  of  them  he  had 
heard  about. 

"  Why,  in  Rawhide,  Nevada,  it  sez  in  a  little 
book  this  sharper  give  out  'round  here,  'n'  thar  war 
a  pictur  o'  the  town  in  it,  too,  with  lots  o'  big  build- 
in's,  two  meetin'  houses,  'n'  shops  with  tall  chim- 
neys 'n'  smoke  comin'  out  on  'em.  Nice  pictur, 
looked  like  everybody  thar  wuz  gittin'  rich  hand 
over  fist.  One  big  buildin'  had  '  Bank '  over  its 
door,  'n'  this  sharper  said  he  was  president  on't. 
Oh,  he  did  the  trick  up  good  'n'  slick! 

"  The  curis  part,"  he  added  reflectively,  after 
another  pause,  "  is  that  Uncle  Asa  won't  believe 
yit  he  hez  ben  swindled.  Thinks  that  mine'll  pan 
out  all  right  some  day  'n'  make  Hazel  rich.  He  had 
the  shares  made  out  in  her  name,  too.  Why,  he's 
the  kind  o'  man  as  hears  larks  singin'  all  day  in 
the  sky,  'n'  he'd  squeeze  sunshine  out  o'  cucumbers, 
he  would." 

Much  more  of  the  current  gossip  regarding 
Uncle  Asa,  his  termagant  wife,  their  home  life,  and 


24  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

especially  Hazel  and  the  many  fellows  who  had 
sought  to  be  her  "  beau "  and  failed,  was  now 
added  by  this  talkative  Boniface.  Only  two  por- 
tions of  it  interested  Stacy  even  casually:  Hazel's 
evident  superiority  to  her  environment,  her  out-of- 
placeness  here,  and  that  about  the  comical  side- 
whiskered  sharper  who  was  able  to  make  a  fool  of 
a  keen-witted  Yankee  landlord.  That  seemed  very 
funny  to  Stacy.  And  for  that  reason  this  chap's 
distinctive  face,  white  whiskers,  watch  fob  and  all 
—  a  type  quite  familiar  to  Stacy  —  pursued  him 
even  to  his  room  and  for  a  half -hour  while  he 
smoked,  watched  the  now  moonlit  landscape,  and 
vainly  tried  to  locate  a  man  he  was  positive  of 
having  seen,  sometime  —  somewhere.  Up  and 
down  the  land  and  back  and  forth  across  the  con- 
tinent he  traveled  in  thought  and  ever  on  the  look- 
out for  this  exuberant  yet  elusive  face,  that  like  a 
will-o'-the-wisp,  one  among  thousands,  persisted  in 
evading  him.  At  last  he  came  upon  it  in  a  little 
smoke-dimmed,  lamp-lit  back  room  of  a  mining 
camp  saloon,  and  one  of  seven  men  gathered 
around  a  table  playing  poker.  He  recalled  the 
group  now  distinctly,  all  red-shirted,  with  hats  on 
and  smoking,  and  all  but  this  side-whiskered  one 
belted  with  ominous  "  guns  "  with  stocks  protrud- 
ing from  holsters.  The  one  most  pertinent  inci- 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  25 

dent  of  this  ordinary  camp  gambling  scene  was 
that  Stacy  noticed  and  noted  how  one  of  the  belted 
poker  players  —  a  slim,  sinister-eyed  Mexican  — 
and  the  white-whiskered  one,  were  evidently  pals 
and,  sitting  side  by  side,  now  and  then  passed  one 
another  cards.  It  wasn't  Stacy's  funeral,  as  he 
then  thought  —  it  might  have  been  had  he  made 
known  the  facts  —  but  he  was  too  camp-wise  to 
mix  into  what  was  not  his  business,  so  merely 
watched  the  cut-throat  game  curiously  for  an  hour 
and  then  left  the  den.  He  now  recalled  seeing 
these  two  together  the  next  day,  and  only  the  sharp 
contrast  of  their  personal  appearance  —  he  of  the 
whiskers,  well-clad,  rotund,  and  clean;  the  Greaser, 
filthy  and  wearing  leggins,  a  red  tie,  much  soiled 
red  shirt,  and  sombrero  —  fixed  them  in  his  mind, 
and  as  a  pair  of  unhanged  rascals. 

That  one  had  escaped  well-merited  justice  and 
after  hatching  a  swindling  scheme  had  come  to 
this  peaceful  hamlet  to  "  do  "  these  honest  folk  was 
evident.  That  good  and  trustful  Uncle  Asa  would 
never  receive  one  penny  of  his  investment  was  also 
as  self-evident,  and  the  only  return  was  the  comical 
one  expressed  by  Sam  Gates  of,  "  how  many  kinds 
of  a  damn  fool  a  man  could  be  and  live." 

One  more  corroborative  recollection  also  came  to 
Stacy,  which  was  that  this  mining  camp  —  a  group 


26  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

of  a  dozen  framed  buildings  and  a  hundred  stone, 
sod,  and  brush-thatched  hovels  —  was  called  Raw- 
hide. 

Another  and  much  pleasanter  feature  of  his  one 
day's  sojourn  here  now  superseded  him  of  the 
whiskers,  and  somehow,  just  now,  in  the  utter  si- 
lence of  his  room  and  looking  out  upon  the  moonlit 
mountain,  Stacy's  thoughts  recurred  to  Hazel  once 
more.  Her  sweet  face  first  seen  bent  over  an  auto- 
harp,  her  two  dainty  feet  pointing  upwards,  and 
even  the  metallic  tinkle  of  "  Don't  You  Hear  Dem 
Bells  A-Ringing?"  now  came  back  to  him.  Then 
he  saw  her  as  the  gracious  little  hostess,  serving 
him  a  meal  as  rare  as  the  day  itself;  neither  shy 
nor  forward,  just  charmingly  polite,  thoughtful, 
and  dignified,  with  the  poise  that  only  contact  with 
refined  and  cultured  people  could  give.  A  little 
lady,  in  fact,  sweet,  piquant,  and  charming. 

"  Where  did  she  get  it  all?  "  Stacy  thought,  now 
preparing  for  slumber.  "  Certainly  not  in  this  tank 
town  or  that  old  rookery.  Either  she's  been  away 
and  learned  fast,  or  it's  a  case  of  to  the  manner 
born.  I'd  like  to  see  more  of  her,  anyhow." 

Little  did  he  now  realize  how  this  simple  country 
girl,  with  eyes  like  a  peep  into  a  well,  was  destined 
to  upset  all  his  placid  cynicism  and  serene  satisfac- 
tion with  himself,  and  lead  him  a  veritable  devil's 
dance  of  despair. 


CHAPTER  III 

"AL,  did  ye  kinder  turn  the  tables  on 
Sam  ?  "  queried  Uncle  Asa  the  next 
morning,  after  Stacy's  arrival  at  his 
ancient  abode,  and  the  mutual  greeting. 

"  I  did,"  the  younger  one  responded,  "  thanks  to 
you,  sir,  for  two  things;  the  tip,  and  the  trout  you 
added  to  my  catch." 

"  Wai,  I'm  glad  on't,"  returned  Uncle  Asa,  smil- 
ing benignly.  "  I  owe  Sam  more'n  I  kin  ever  pay 
back  in  jokes,  ye  see.  Ez  fer  the  trout,  I  yanked 
a  few  outen  a  pen  I  keep  a  lot  in,  in  the  medder, 
jist  to  top  off  your  string  'n'  open  Sam's  eyes. 
I've  got  a  couple  o'  boys  —  Martha's  " —  he  ex- 
plained, glancing  at  the  house,  "  who  like  fishin'  bet- 
ter'n  work,  'n'  ter  keep  peace,  'n'  them  out  o'  mis- 
chief I  gin  'em  ten  cents  apiece  fer  all  the  live  trout 
they  fetch  me.  We'll  take  a  look  at  'em,  'n'  then 
start.  I've  got  the  bait  dug  'n'  hoss  hitched  up." 
And  this  genial  optimist  led  the  way  to  the  trout 
pen.  It  was  a  cunningly  devised  one,  a  trench  four 
rods  long  and  perhaps  five  feet  wide  and  two  feet 

27 


26  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

of  a  dozen  framed  buildings  and  a  hundred  stone, 
sod,  and  brush-thatched  hovels  —  was  called  Raw- 
hide. 

Another  and  much  pleasanter  feature  of  his  one 
day's  sojourn  here  now  superseded  him  of  the 
whiskers,  and  somehow,  just  now,  in  the  utter  si- 
lence of  his  room  and  looking  out  upon  the  moonlit 
mountain,  Stacy's  thoughts  recurred  to  Hazel  once 
more.  Her  sweet  face  first  seen  bent  over  an  auto- 
harp,  her  two  dainty  feet  pointing  upwards,  and 
even  the  metallic  tinkle  of  "  Don't  You  Hear  Dem 
Bells  A-Ringing?"  now  came  back  to  him.  Then 
he  saw  her  as  the  gracious  little  hostess,  serving 
him  a  meal  as  rare  as  the  day  itself;  neither  shy 
nor  forward,  just  charmingly  polite,  thoughtful, 
and  dignified,  with  the  poise  that  only  contact  with 
refined  and  cultured  people  could  give.  A  little 
lady,  in  fact,  sweet,  piquant,  and  charming. 

"  Where  did  she  get  it  all?  "  Stacy  thought,  now 
preparing  for  slumber.  "  Certainly  not  in  this  tank 
town  or  that  old  rookery.  Either  she's  been  away 
and  learned  fast,  or  it's  a  case  of  to  the  manner 
born.  I'd  like  to  see  more  of  her,  anyhow." 

Little  did  he  now  realize  how  this  simple  country 
girl,  with  eyes  like  a  peep  into  a  well,  was  destined 
to  upset  all  his  placid  cynicism  and  serene  satisfac- 
tion with  himself,  and  lead  him  a  veritable  devil's 
dance  of  despair. 


CHAPTER  III 

WAL,  did  ye  kinder  turn  the  tables  on 
Sam?"  queried  Uncle  Asa  the  next 
morning,  after  Stacy's  arrival  at  his 
ancient  abode,  and  the  mutual  greeting. 

"  I  did,"  the  younger  one  responded,  "  thanks  to 
you,  sir,  for  two  things;  the  tip,  and  the  trout  you 
added  to  my  catch." 

"  Wai,  I'm  glad  on't,"  returned  Uncle  Asa,  smil- 
ing benignly.  "  I  owe  Sam  more'n  I  kin  ever  pay 
back  in  jokes,  ye  see.  Ez  fer  the  trout,  I  yanked 
a  few  outen  a  pen  I  keep  a  lot  in,  in  the  medder, 
jist  to  top  off  your  string  'n'  open  Sam's  eyes. 
I've  got  a  couple  o'  boys  —  Martha's  " —  he  ex- 
plained, glancing  at  the  house,  "  who  like  fishin'  bet- 
ter'n  work,  'n'  ter  keep  peace,  'n'  them  out  o'  mis- 
chief I  gin  'em  ten  cents  apiece  fer  all  the  live  trout 
they  fetch  me.  We'll  take  a  look  at  'em,  'n'  then 
start.  I've  got  the  bait  dug  'n'  hoss  hitched  up." 
And  this  genial  optimist  led  the  way  to  the  trout 
pen.  It  was  a  cunningly  devised  one,  a  trench  four 
rods  long  and  perhaps  five  feet  wide  and  two  feet 

27 


28  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

deep,  dug  near  the  brook  Stacy  had  followed 
through  the  swamp,  and  full  to  the  brim  from  a 
screened  inlet  from  that.  Its  bottom  was  of  white 
sand  and  gravel,  one  end  boarded  over  for  cover, 
and  in  this  pen  were  certainly  a  hundred  handsome 
trout. 

"  I  like  to  feed  'em,  'n'  sit  'n'  watch  'em  now  W 
then,"  Uncle  Asa  admitted.  "  It's  kinder  like 
company;  'n'  so  does  Hazel.  Trout  allus  seem  to 
me  like  they  had  minds  o'  their  own,"  he  added, 
looking  fondly  at  them,  "  'n'  could  figger  out  we  was 
mortal  enemies  to  'em.  Yer  can't  fool  a  trout  no- 
how. Yer  can't  ketch  him  nappin',  either.  If  he 
sees  ye  fust,  ye  don't  see  him  in  a  brook.  I  guess 
we'd  best  be  startin',"  he  continued,  squinting  at  the 
rising  sun.  "  We'd  orter  started  two  hours  ago  in 
the  cool  o'  the  mornin'." 

Stacy  glanced  searchingly  all  around  the  house, 
into  the  garden,  and  up  towards  the  big  pine,  while 
Uncle  Asa  was  backing  the  horse  and  ancient  car- 
ryall out  from  the  shed,  but  saw  nothing  of  Hazel. 
And  then  they  drove  away.  To  Stacy,  also,  it 
seemed  curious  that  this  old  man  should  so  willingly 
leave  his  work  for  an  entire  day  to  take  him  fishing, 
without  an  hour's  acquaintance,  as  he  had.  Yet  it 
had  so  come  about.  He  also  thought  of  "  his 
whiskers,"  as  he  already  began  to  call  this  Curtis 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  29 

North  in  his  mind,  and  wondered  if  he,  too,  had 
been  so  treated  on  sight.  He  also  longed  to  ask 
Uncle  Asa  about  him,  but  dared  not  as  yet.  In- 
stead, and  to  allay  all  suspicion  of  his  own  real  er- 
rand here,  he  gave  an  explicit  statement  of  how 
busy  a  man  he  was  in  the  city,  how  he  had  been 
unable  to  find  time  for  even  a  day's  vacation  for 
years  until  now,  and  that  Oakdale  (heard  of 
through  a  friend)  had  seemed  an  ideal  spot  to  pass 
a  week  in. 

"  It  is  a  perty  quiet  town,"  Uncle  Asa  admitted 
at  this  conclusion ;  "  nobody  gits  rich  here,  'n'  no- 
body gits  poor.  We  jist  raise  'nuff  ter  eat,  buy 
a  few  clothes  'n'  pay  the  parson  fer  savin'  our 
souls,  'n'  that's  'bout  all  we  need,  anyhow.  I  like 
livin'  here,"  he  added  retrospectively,  "  'n'  I've  ben 
away  jist  'nuff  ter  knew  how  comfortin'  'tis.  I've 
ben  to  Barre  a  few  times,  ben  ter  your  city  once, 
'n'  I  wouldn't  live  in  either  place  if  I  wuz  paid  fer't. 
Too  much  doin',  'n'  too  much  noise.  Then  agin, 
salt  water's  only  four  mile  away  down  the  crick. 
I've  got  a  boat,  'n'  'bout  twice  a  week  or  so  I  go 
down  it  'n'  ketch  some  clams  or  fetch  home  some 
lobsters  fer  a  change.  I  allus  take  Hazel  'long 
when  school  ain't  keepin',"  he  admitted  tenderly. 
"  She  likes  the  fun,  'n'  smell  o'  salt  air  same  ez  I 
do.  Thar's  whar  she  teaches,"  he  asserted  proudly, 


30  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

and  pointing  to  the  brown  roadside  schoolhouse 
they  were  nearing.  "It's  jist  a  mile  'n'  a  half 
walk,  'n'  a  mile  to  The  Corners  whar  she  goes  ter 
meetin'  'n'  sings  Sundays." 

It  was  self-evident  that  this  Hazel  was  about  all 
her  father  lived  for. 

"  This  is  Rocky  Glen  brook,"  he  declared,  now 
crossing  one  a  mile  up  the  narrow  valley  above  the 
village.  "  It  splits  jist  ahead,  'n'  the  main  stream 
comes  down  out  o'  a  gorge  ter  the  left  o'  the  stage 
road  we're  on.  I'm  goin'  ter  take  ye  'round  ter 
the  head  'o  that  'n'  let  ye  fish  down.  Then  I'll 
come  back  to  the  forks  'n'  fish  'tother  brook  while 
I  wait.  Arter  that,  'n'  if  ye  hain't  ketched  nuff  by 
then,  we'll  go  up  the  stage  road  'n'  strike  the  small 
brook.  You'll  find  Rocky  Glen  perty  good  fishin' 
though." 

And  so  it  proved,  for  once  on  it  Stacy  found 
himself  at  the  upper,  end  of  a  wide  canyon  in  the 
mountains  west  of  Oakdale,  with  a  sizable  brook 
and  just  pitch  enough  to  make  pools  and  cascades 
adown  its  laughing  course.  Trout  were  fairly 
plenty  in  these,  no  brush  to  interfere,  and  by  noon 
when  he  reached  the  lower  end  of  this  vale  his 
basket  was  full  of  speckled  beauties. 

And  now  came  another  surprise,  for  here  at  the 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  31 

foot  of  this  oval  valley,  rather  than  canyon,  its 
enclosing  hills  narrowed  to  a  gateway  not  fifty  rods 
from  the  stage  road. 

He  had  come  to  Oakdale  to  find  a  site  for  a 
dam  and  space  for  water  storage  upon  some  suit- 
able stream  where  land  was  of  little  value  —  a  rare 
combination  in  any  settled  country  —  and  here  was 
an  ideal  location  facing  a  fertile  valley  within  five 
miles  of  tide  water! 

It  seemed  prophetic! 

And  now,  from  where  he  had  climbed  part  way 
up  one  of  these  abutting  hills,  he  could  overlook 
the  scattered  farmhouses  of  Oakdale,  The  Corners 
or  nucleus  of  dwellings,  stores,  and  two  churches 
that  composed  it,  and  away  to  the  bordering  line 
of  ocean.  Then,  and  given  to  air-castle  building  as 
he  always  was,  he  saw  a  group  of  factories  just 
below  this  water  gap,  beyond  and  in  place  of  The 
Corners  a  populous  city,  and  further  on  where  the 
blue  rim  of  old  ocean  gleamed  in  the  sunlight,  an 
array  of  the  masts  of  vessels  at  anchor  in  a  harbor. 
He  did  not  as  yet  know  if  one  were  there  at  the 
outlet  of  the  stream;  he  did  know  that  the  mighty 
arm  of  Commerce  would  dig  and  construct  one  if 
needed.  And  so  for  a  half-hour,  this  man  of  many 
plans  and  backed  by  money  power  sat  building  his 


32  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

air  castle  of  a  new  city  to  arise  from  the  magic 
power  of  a  stream  ten  rods  below  him,  whose  un- 
used energy  had  been  running  to  waste  since  the 
dawn  of  creation! 

"  Who  owns  the  land  alongside  the  brook  I've 
been  fishing?  "  he  asked  nonchalantly  of  Uncle  Asa 
later  on  after  they  met  and  compared  notes  on 
their  catches  of  trout.  "  I  notice  the  best  of  the 
timber  has  been  cut  away." 

"  Wai,  the  lower  part  ye  fished  down  belongs  to 
Sam  Gates,"  responded  Uncle  Asa,  "  'n'  the  upper 
end  to  the  Widder  Lewis,  Aunt  Huldah,  we  call 
her.  Thar  was  a  second  growth  o'  chestnut  on 
Sam's  part,  'n'  he  had  'em  cut  V  sold  ter  the  rail- 
road fer  ties  'bout  six  years  ago." 

"  The  land  isn't  worth  much  now,  I  take  it  ?  " 
queried  Stacy  cautiously  once  more. 

"  No,  hardly  wuth  taxin',"  answered  Uncle  Asa, 
unconscious  of  what  was  in  his  questioner's  mind. 
"  I  believe  it's  put  in  fer  a  dollar  an  acre  by  Squire 
Phinney.  He's  fust  seleckman,  tax  'sessor,  'n'  the 
whole  thing  here,  ye  know." 

And  then  came  the  secondary  feature  of  the  en- 
joyment of  a  day's  outing,  the  midday  lunch. 

"  I've  brung  along  a  little  snack,"  asserted  Uncle 
Asa  after  this  exchange  and  glancing  up  at  the 
I  guess  it's  'bout  time  to  injie  it." 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  33 

And  he  led  the  way  to  where  he  had  hitched  his 
sedate  nag  by  the  roadside. 

"  'Tain't  much,  I  don't  s'pose,"  he  added  apolo- 
getically, and  drawing  a  large  wooden  box  from 
beneath  the  carryall  seat.  "  I  told  Hazel  to  put 
up  the  best  she  could,  howsomever."  Then  he 
seated  himself  on  a  shaded  bit  of  greensward  and 
opened  the  box. 

And  now  Stacy  was  impressed  by  the  house- 
wifely abilities  of  Miss  Hazel,  for  the  first  item 
taken  out  was  a  small  strawberry  shortcake,  next 
came  a  plate  of  cold  boiled  ham  wrapped  in  a  nap- 
kin, then  slices  of  buttered  bread,  boiled  eggs, 
doughnuts,  cheese,  and  some  pickles  wrapped  in  an- 
other napkin. 

Stacy  in  his  hustling,  bustling  business  and  pros- 
pecting life  and  wanderings  had  eaten  all  kinds  of 
meals,  from  the  best  a  first-class  hotel  could  furnish 
to  a  slice  of  jerked  venison  washed  down  with 
lukewarm  water  from  a  canteen  on  the  plains,  but 
never  one  that  so  woke  the  zest  of  good  appetite 
as  this.  And  best  of  all,  the  box  it  came  from  ex- 
haled the  mingled  odor  of  summer  savory  and 
sage,  recalling  his  early  boyhood  and  mother's 
pantry. 

He  had  occasion  to  recall  it  many  times  after- 
wards. 


34  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

"  You  told  me  on  the  way  up  here,"  asserted 
Uncle  Asa  after  the  "  snack  "  had  been  duly  dis- 
posed of  and  Stacy  had  lit  his  cigar,  "  that  you'd 
ben  west  a  few  times  kinder  lookin'  up  mines  fer 
your  firm.  Did  ye  ever  in  your  goin's  round  hear 
o'  the  Rawhide  Gold  Minin'  Company  in  Nevada 
some'rs  ?  " 

"  No,  I  never  did,"  answered  Stacy,  startled  at 
the  abruptness  of  the  question.  "  Why  do  you 
ask?" 

"  Wai,  nothin'  special,  only  I  didn't  know  but 
ye  might  'a'  heerd  on't  if  ye  wuz  in  Nevada,"  and 
Uncle  Asa  looked  at  Stacy  with  his  kindly,  trustful 
eyes,  then  away,  and  back  at  Stacy  again. 

"  I  dunno  but  I  may  ez  well  tell  ye,  Mr.  Whipple," 
he  continued  after  this  pause.  "  Ye  seem  kinder 
square  'n'  honest,  'n'  I  kinder  took  to  ye  on  sight 
ez  it  war."  Then  and  in  his  quaint  drawl  and 
dialect  he  told  the  story  in  full  that  Stacy  had  al- 
ready heard  outlined,  with  many  additions.  First, 
how  this  Curtis  North  had  come  to  his  home  of- 
fering ample  pay  to  be  taken  out  fishing,  how  he 
had  repeated  this  method  of  getting  acquainted  two 
or  three  times  with  many  assertions  of  his  o\vn 
honesty,  wealth,  prosperity,  and  how  rich  a  mine 
he  in  reality  owned;  and  finally,  how  he  (Uncle 
Asa)  had  been  lured  to  invest  all  his  savings  in 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  35 

stock  of  this  mine.  It  was  an  old  story  to  Stacy. 
He  had  heard  many  similar  experiences,  and  yet, 
from  various  conspiring  reasons,  this  one  woke  his 
sympathy  and  interest  as  no  other  one  ever  had. 

And  yet  he  dare  not  now  disillusionize  Uncle 
Asa. 

"  I  begin  to  worry  consid'ble  'bout  it,"  the  old 
man  admitted  after  the  tale  was  told.  "  I  put  in 
every  dollar  I'd  saved  up  for  Hazel,  she's  perty 
clus  to  my  heart,  'n'  thar's  the  fix  I'm  in.  It's  ben 
six  years  now  sence  I  put  the  money  in,  'n'  in  all 
that  time  I  hain't  heerd  a  word  from  it.  I  wuz  in 
hopes  you,  goin'  round  Nevada  ez  ye  hev,  might  'a' 
run  onto  this  mine  out  thar." 

"  No,"  answered  Stacy,  now  feeling  that  he 
would  give  a  hundred  dollars  to  see  this  Curtis 
North  dangling  from  a  rope's  end ;  "  I  can't  give 
you  one  iota  of  information  about  your  invest- 
ment. I  wish  I  could.  I  can,  however,  obtain  all 
that  is  on  record  in  Nevada  regarding  this  corpora- 
tion, where  located,  how  much  capitalized  for,  and 
by  whom.  This  I  will  surely  do  when  I  return  to 
Albion  and  write  you  full  particulars."  And  then 
a  glad  light  came  to  the  face  of  Uncle  Asa. 

"  That'll  be  a  good  deal,"  he  said,  "  so  I'll  know 
suthin',  anyhow. 

"  I  wa'n't  the  only  dum  fool,  if  dum  fool  I  war," 


36  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

he  added,  smiling  again,  "  for  Sam  Gates  put  in 
five  hundred  dollars,  too,  'n'  he's  counted  the  sharp- 
est man  in  town.  Funny,  too,  f er  that  was  the  very 
money  he  got  fer  his  chestnut  saplings  cut  from 
'longside  the  brook  you've  ben  fishin'  on.  You 
mustn't  tell  him,  either,"  he  continued  after  a  pause. 
"  He  thinks,  'n'  everybody  thinks,  I'm  sure,  it'll  all 
pan  out  right  in  time.  Hazel  thinks  I  believe  so,  too, 
'n'  I  wouldn't  hev  her  know  different  fer  the  world. 
It  'ud  break  her  heart  ter  know  I  wuz  worryin'  at 
my  time  o'  life." 

"  Oh,  well,  it  may  turn  out  right  after  all,"  re- 
turned Stacy  assuringly.  "  Anyhow,  it  won't  do 
any  good  to  worry.  Worry  will  kill  a  cat,  they  say, 
Uncle  Asa,  and  my  theory  is  that  the  only  thing 
worth  worrying  about  is  our  own  health.  As  for 
this  mine  investment,  try  to  forget  it.  I  would  if 
I  were  you." 

"  I  like  your  idee  o'  grit,"  answered  Uncle  Asa 
more  buoyantly,  "  but  I  kin  see  ye  hain't  no  idee 
I'll  ever  git  a  cent  back  outen  that  mine,  now  hev 
ye?" 

"  I  won't  admit  that,  not  yet,"  asserted  Stacy 
with  well-assumed  confidence.  "  I  shall  probably 
go  to  Nevada  this  fall  on  business  for  my  firm,  and 
I'll  look  that  mine  up,  I  promise  you,  and  report  the 
facts  to  you." 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  37 

Then  Uncle  Asa  sprang  to  his  feet  and  extended 
his  hand  with  eagerness.  "  Say,  Mr.  Whipple,"  he 
asserted  after  the  mutual  clasp,  "  you've  lifted  a 
big  load  off'n  my  heart,  I  tell  ye.  Now  I  want  you 
to  promise  to  make  yourself  to  hum  at  my  house 
while  you're  stayin'  here.  Come  over  any  time 
you  feel  like  it,  'n'  any  time  you  want  ter  go  fishin', 
jist  say  the  word  'n'  I'll  take  ye.  Mebbe,  too,  ye'd 
like  ter  go  down  the  creek  with  me  'n'  Hazel  arter 
clams.  We  cud  take  'long  a  couple  o'  her  gal 
friends,  too  —  the  boat's  big  'nuff — 'n'  hev  a  clam 
boil  thar.  You  bein'  a  young  man  'ud  enjoy  that, 
sartin." 

And  when  they  parted  that  afterjtioon  in  front 
of  the  Oakdale  House,  after  Stacy  had  insisted  he 
take  home  two-thirds  of  the  trout  so  that  his 
family  could  have  an  ample  meal,  Stacy's  intended 
sojourn  here  promised  to  be  a  charming  one  to  him. 

And  that  evening  also  brought  another  pleasant 
assurance  from  Landlord  Sam. 

;'  You've  jist  plumped  right  down  inter  good 
luck  the  fust  ground  hop,"  he  asserted  after  Stacy 
had  described  his  day's  experience,  luck,  lunch,  and 
all.  "  It  'pears  you've  got  next  to  Uncle  Asa's 
heart  'thout  any  effort,  'n'  he's  a  winner  fer  enter- 
tainin'  folks  he  likes.  Then  thar's  Hazel,  bright  ez 
a  button  'n'  perty  ez  a  pink,  'thout  any  beau !  Why, 


38  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

young  man,  you've  got  a  picnic  long's  you  stay 
here!     I  wish  I  was  your  age!     What  a  heap  o' 
fun  I'd  hev!" 
It  looked  that  way  to  Stacy. 


CHAPTER  IV 

THE  next  morning,  returning  from  the  hill 
back  of  Uncle  Asa's  —  visited  for  further 
inspection  of  Bear  Hole  swamp  valley  for 
possible  reservoir  use  —  Stacy  espied  the  polite 
hostess  whose  culinary  abilities  had  been  so  con- 
soling. She  was  below  him  in  a  pasture,  partially 
squatted  on  the  ground,  dressed  in  the  same  faded 
calico  as  when  first  seen  by  him,  also  calico  sun- 
bonnet,  and  busy  picking  strawberries. 

And  just  then,  conscious  that  he  was  unseen  by 
her,  Stacy  halted  to  consider  whether  he  should 
advance,  accost  her,  and  enjoy  a  chat,  or  keep  on 
his  way  back  to  the  hotel. 

And  this  for  reasons  that  must  be  explained. 

To  begin,  he  was,  as  stated,  a  confirmed  cynic, 
and  while  not  a  woman  hater,  his  one  hectic  love 
experience  had  convinced  him  that  love  is  a  most 
charming  and  delightful  illusion  in  the  beginning, 
but  a  bitter  and  painful  one  in  the  end.  Also,  that 
its  natural  sequence  is  marriage,  and  he  was 
firmly  and  fully  determined  that  he  should  never 
let  any  of  the  fair  sex  lure  him  to  that  outcome. 

39 


40  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

He  was  also  conscious  of  a  more  than  passing  in- 
terest already  in  this  girl.  Her  sweet  and  piquant 
face  and  dainty  form,  and  more  especially  her  dig- 
nity and  refinement,  coupled  with  a  certain  sweet 
simplicity,  had  already  been  noticed  and  noted  by 
him.  He  had  also  been  informed  that  she  had 
no  recognized  admirer,  and  held  herself  above  the 
country  swains  of  Oakdale,  and  was  unhappy  in 
her  home  relations  with  a  stepmother.  More  than 
that,  he  had  been  accorded  the  open  sesame  to  that 
home  by  her  father, —  in  fact,  urged  to  accept  it, — 
and  the  gateway  to  an  idyllic  love  romance  thus 
opened  wide  for  him  to  enter. 

But  should  he? 

It  is  said  that  the  current  of  Chance  sways  and 
swings  and  impels  us  hither  and  yon  as  it  wills,  and 
the  strongest  are  as  thistle-down  in  its  power. 
Whether  that  be  true  or  not,  Chance  determined 
Stacy's  action  just  then,  for  while  he  yet  waited  uri- 
decided,  the  girl  arose,  looked  up  and  saw  him 
watching  her.  There  was  but  one  courteous  course 
*left  him  now  —  to  advance  and  greet  her  who  had 
been  his  hostess  as  a  gentleman  should,  and  he  did 
so. 

"  Good  morning,  Miss  Webster,"  he  said,  nearing 
her  and  raising  his  hat.  "  I  saw  you  from  up  back 
here  and  waited  for  you  to  look  up  so  you  wouldn't 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  41 

think  I  meant  to  pounce  upon  you  again.  Are  you 
making  ready  for  another  as  delicious  a  shortcake 
as  I  shared  with  your  father  yesterday  ?  " 

"  I  am,"  she  answered,  smiling  at  the  graceful 
compliment,  "  and  if  you  go  fishing  with  him  again 
to-morrow,  perhaps  you  will  have  some  of  it." 

"  Or,  better  still,  if  I  am  invited  to  your  house 
for  supper  to-night  I'll  get  it  then,"  he  answered. 

"You  most  certainly  will  —  if  invited,"  she  re- 
turned with  just  a  faint  touch  of  irony. 

"  But  shall  I  get  it?  "  he  questioned. 

"  Yes,  and  two  pieces  if  you  are  there." 

"  I  mean  the  invitation,"  he  explained. 

"  Why,  yes,  if  you  see  father  before  supper 
time,"  she  responded  naively.  "  He  has  taken  quite 
a  liking  to  you  already." 

"  I'm  glad,"  he  answered  more  soberly,  "  for  I 
think  your  father  is  a  very  nice  man,  and  so  sun- 
shiny. The  landlord  of  your  hotel  says  he  hears 
larks  singing  in  the  sky  all  day." 

"  He  isn't  as  much  so  as  he  once  was,"  she  re- 
plied soberly;  "he  —  he  is  older,  you  know." 

"  No  wonder,"  thought  Stacy,  "  with  that  Tartar 
wife  and  money  sunk  in  a  mine  swindle."  Then 
aloud,  "  I  admire  a  man  who  can  retain  cheerful- 
ness and  hear  even  now  and  then  a  lark  through 
old  age.  Few  of  us  can  ever  hope  for  that.  But 


42  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

how  about  the  invitation  to  supper?  Please  may  I 
come  ?  " 

"  Now  that  you  ask  for  one,  you  must  have  it,  I 
presume,"  she  responded  smilingly,  "  and  you  are 
hereby  and  now  properly  invited  to  supper  at  my 
home,  Maple  Dell,  this  evening,  six-thirty  sharp ! " 

"And  so  it's  Maple  Dell  you  call  it?  Well 
many  thanks.  I'll  be  there  on  time.  Evening  dress 
or  just  ordinary?" 

"  Oh,  evening,  by  all  means,"  she  returned,  smil- 
ing archly.  "  A  gentleman  looks  so  much  more  a 
gentleman  in  proper  attire." 

Then,  and  as  if  she  had  granted  him  all  the  en- 
couragement he  deserved,  she  turned  to  her  berry- 
picking  again.  And  Stacy,  more  than  ever  inter- 
ested in  this  rustic  maid  with  the  ease  and  speech 
of  a  city-bred  belle,  now  plumped  down  on  his 
knees  beside  her  to  assist. 

For  a  most  charming  half-hour  he  kept  at  it, 
chatting  meanwhile,  eating  a  few  berries,  following 
her  about,  and  now  and  then  peeping  slyly  at  her 
piquant  face  smiling  out  of  the  depths  of  that  coal- 
scoop  bonnet.  Once  she  caught  him  at  it,  flushed 
slightly,  and  after  that  he  obtained  no  more  peeps. 
A  wee  little  chill,  also,  began  to  tinge  the  tone  of 
her  voice  from  that  moment  on,  for  Stacy  was 
blessed  (or  impeded)  by  rather  compelling  black 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  43 

eyes  that,  as  someone  described  such,  "  bored  into 
you  like  gimlets."  His  speech  was  always  softly 
modulated,  unless  in  anger,  and  the  one  baleful 
factor  in  his  make-up  was  his  cynicism,  that  per- 
sisted in  adding  a  lurking  scorn  to  his  glances.  He 
was  keen,  also,  in  reading  moods,  and  it  soon 
dawned  on  him  that  this  fair  maid  either  felt  afraid 
of  him,  distrusted  him,  or  that  he  had  offended  her 
by  word  or  glance.  She  had  met  his  first  advances 
and  appeal  for  an  invitation  to  supper  in  a  pretty, 
half-coquettish  way,  and  then,  presto,  had,  as  he 
would  put  it,  "  frozen  up." 

"  I  hope  you  didn't  feel  that  I  was  intruding 
when  I  coaxed  you  for  an  invitation  to  supper,  Miss 
Webster,"  he  said,  rising  when  the  pail  was  full. 
"  I  didn't  mean  to,  certainly,  and  my  excuse  is  a 
double  one, —  I  wanted  to  get  better  acquainted 
with  you,  and  another  taste  of  your  shortcake.  It 
is  even  better  than  my  mother  used  to  make." 

"  That  suggests  country  origin,"  she  responded, 
ignoring  his  well-meant  compliment,  and  rising ;  "  I 
thought  you  were  a  city-bred  man." 

"  I  am  and  I  am  not.  I  was  born  in  the  country, 
but  left  it  at  sixteen,  and  since  then,  I  must  admit, 
I've  been  subject  to  the  unholy  influences  of  the 
city.  You  don't  like  city  men,  I  infer,  by  your 
tone?" 


44  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

"  I  didn't  mean  you  should  infer  anything,"  she 
answered  coolly,  and  turning  her  expressive  eyes 
full  upon  him.  "  I  naturally  distrust  city  men,  but 
I  do  not  speak  in  riddles." 

For  one  instant  Stacy  was  tempted  to  ask  the 
why  and  wherefore  of  this  distrust,  the  next,  his 
better  sense  prevailed. 

"  I  do  not  blame  you  for  it,"  he  said  instead, 
"  for  to  the  best  of  my  observation,  few  are  worth 
even  a  man's  confidence,  much  less  a  woman's." 

"  Well,  we  agree  on  one  thing,"  she  answered, 
laughing  lightly,  and  turning  to  go. 

"  I  hope  we  may  find  other  points  of  agreement, 
also,  in  due  time,"  he  said,  taking  two  steps  her 
way.  "  And  now,  before  you  go,  may  I  ask  one 
more  favor  ?  " 

"  You  can  ask  for  a  thousand,"  she  returned 
pointedly.  "  I  never  promise  favors  to  any  one. 
What  is  it?" 

"  Why,  your  auto-harp,  this  evening,  after  the 
shortcake,  and  the  same  tune  I  first  thought  was 
ghost  music,  the  day  I  scared  you  so.  It  has  been 
tinkling  in  my  ears  ever  since." 

"  I  won't  promise,"  she  answered  abruptly ;  then, 
with  a  "  Good-bye,  Mr.  Whipple,"  equally  abrupt, 
she  bowed  and  left  him. 

And  Stacy,  conscious  that  he  had  made  no  prog- 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  45 

ress  whatever  in  the  good  graces  of  this  cool  and 
piquant  maid,  raised  his  hat  deferentially,  said 
"  Good-bye,"  in  the  same  cool  tone,  and  strode  away 
in  opposite  direction. 

And  recalling  the  various  fair  ones  he  had  met 
so  far,  or  more  especially  how  acquaintance  with 
them  first  began,  it  recurred  to  him  that  never  one 
had  so  frozen  him  at  the  start.  In  a  way,  also,  it 
was  an  abrupt  change  from  her  demeanor  as  host- 
ess, for  then  she  was  politely  gracious,  while  now 
she  was  politely  cool.  Now,  and  as  this  compar- 
ative mood  was  on,  his  bete  noire,  the  Spanish 
beauty,  recurred,  also,  and  how  her  subtle  flatteries 
and  delicately-veiled  insinuations  of  love-interest 
first  led  him  on. 

"  Thank  God,  she  isn't  like  her ! "  he  exclaimed 
aloud,  at  this  juncture.  "  Rather  ice  or  marble 
than  that  love  trickster  for  me !  " 

He  little  realized  just  then  that  it  is  the  maid  of 
ice  or  marble  nature  that  usually  wakens  the  fiercest 
love  in  man. 

"  There  is  something  back  of  her  chilliness,"  he 
continued  musingly,  and  now  more  than  ever 
pained  by  it.  "  When  she  served  me  that  mid- 
afternoon  meal,  she  was  gracious  sweetness  person- 
ified, and  quite  charming;  now,  and  after  she  has 
seen  that  her  father  accepts  me  as  a  good  fellow, 


46  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

worth  taking  fishing  —  a  sure  sign  that  a  man  likes 
another  —  she  suddenly  freezes  up  and  treats  me 
as  if  I  were  a  gentleman  pickpocket !  And  I  never 
tried  harder  to  be  nice  to  a  girl  in  my  life !  I  can't 
understand  it !  " 

Then,  and  as  is  natural  to  a  man  who  first  begins 
to  take  notice  of  a  maid,  he  began  an  analytical 
survey  of  this  one.  Her  perfectly  ladylike  de- 
meanor and  command  of  language,  showing  cul- 
ture and  refinement;  her  poise  and  self-possession, 
so  unusual  in  such  a  rustic  maid;  her  quick  per- 
ception of  what  was  proper  to  say  and  do  toward 
him,  a  stranger,  and  minor  features  of  her  conduct, 
all  conspired  to  outline  a  most  charming  young  lady. 
Her  personal  appearance  came  next  in  this  survey. 
Her  delicate  features,  flower-like  face,  red-ripe  lips, 
and  more  especially  her  eyes  —  like  deep  waters, 
each  and  all  recurred  to  him,  and  details  of  her  garb 
as  well.  He  had  noticed  that  she  wore  but  one 
ring,  a  pearl  solitaire,  while  the  two  dresses  he  had 
seen  her  in  —  a  faded  calico  and  white  pique  — 
while  perfectly  fitting,  were  severely  plain  and  prob- 
ably homemade.  All  in  all,  it  was  evident  that 
no  money  had  ever  been  lavished  on  her.  Her 
home,  also,  came  in  for  review.  Its  old  and  worn- 
out  condition  was  almost  pitiful,  and,  while  neat 
and  well  kept  within,  poverty  was  written  all 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  47 

about,  even  to  the  homemade  window  screens  of 
mosquito  netting. 

He  had  been  well,  even  cordially  received  there, 
in  Good  Samaritan  manner.  Uncle  Asa  —  good 
old  soul !  —  had,  metaphorically  speaking,  opened 
his  arms  to  him  on  sight,  given  him  some  nice  trout 
to  discomfit  Sam,  taken  him  fishing,  confided  his 
troubles  to  him,  and  treated  him  with  unexpected 
consideration,  in  sharp  contrast  to  Miss  Hazel's 
frosty  manner.  And  the  reason  for  it  was  an  al- 
most exasperating  riddle ! 

She  was  an  unattended  maid,  according  to  all 
reports.  Old  enough  and  wise  enough;  also  poor 
enough  not  to  frown  upon  a  fairly  good-looking, 
intelligent,  and  prosperous  youn'g  man,  who  had 
tried  his  best  to  be  nice  to  her,  he  thought !  It  was 
certainly  past  understanding! 

Other  vexatious  and  sharp  contrasts  soon  came 
his  way.  The  dinner  at  the  hotel  that  day  (corned 
beef  and  cabbage  —  a  combination  that  revolted  his 
soul)  was  an  abomination.  The  waiting  maid, 
clad  in  greasy,  almost  filthy  raiment,  was  chewing 
gum;  the  dishes,  knives  and  forks  smelled  of  stale 
ham  fat,  and  each  part  of  that  meal  was  in  objec- 
tionable contrast  to  the  dainty  one  served  him  at 
Uncle  Asa's  by  Hazel,  with  the  perfume  of  lilac 
blossoms  to  add  zest 


48 

That  afternoon,  also,  seemed  a  long  one  to  him. 
He  had  a  lengthy  letter  to  write  to  his  partner, 
Colby,  about  the  two  available  sites  for  dams,  prox- 
imity of  stone  to  build  them,  probable  cost  of  land, 
etc;  also  asking  an  investigation  of  the  Rawhide 
Gold  Mining  Company.  Then,  as  the  landlord 
was  away  in  a  field,  mowing,  and  none  of  the  Old 
Guard  about,  Stacy  had  naught  else  to  do  except 
sit  on  the  deserted  piazza,  smoke,  and  watch  for 
passing  teams.  And,  to  the  best  of  his  observation, 
the  only  living  creature  he  saw  in  two  hours  of 
this,  was  one  lone  dog,  that  trotted  by.  By  this 
time,  he  was  almost  lonesome  enough  to  brave  pro- 
priety by  going  into  the  kitchen  and  visiting  with 
that  slovenly  serving-maid. 

And  not  a  half-mile  away  was  the  most  charm- 
ing of  country  lassies,  bright  enough  to  give  him 
a  Roland  for  every  Oliver,  and  a  lilac-shaded  porch 
to  do  it  on!  Also  possessed  of  an  auto-harp  and 
the  ability  to  play  it  like  an  Houri ! 

The  strawberry-shortcake  supper,  to  which  he 
had  almost  begged  an  invitation,  would  probably 
be  served  about  six  o'clock.  At  exactly  four  he 
retired  to  his  room  to  get  ready.  As  might  be  ex- 
pected just  now  —  when  anxious  to  look  his  best  — 
he  cut  himself  shaving,  grew  vexed,  found  but 
one  new  clean  collar  in  his  outfit,  and  got  blood  on 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  49 

that,  grew  more  angry,  and  at  five,  precisely,  started 
for  Uncle  Asa's. 

And  soon,  entering  the  maple-shaded  lane  lead- 
ing to  it,  its  cool  charm  and  the  romantic  name, — 
Maple  Dell, —  given  by  Hazel  to  the  coign  or  pocket 
where  the  house  stood,  recurred  to  him.  It  was 
like  a  sight  of  her,  an  impression  she  created,  and 
suggestive  of  her.  The  dooryard,  next  entered, 
was  another,  for  its  graveled  walk  was  bordered 
by  rows  of  nasturtiums,  just  beginning  to  bloom, 
not  a  weed  was  visible  in  or  around  the  beds  of 
phlox,  peonies,  sweet  williams,  and  bachelor  but- 
tons scattered  over  the  yard,  which,  enclosed  by 
a  hedgerow  of  arbor  vitae,  was  neatness  personified. 
The  house  itself,  half  hidden  by  the  two  luxuriant 
clumps  of  lilac  abutting  upon  the  front  corners, 
with  big  syringa  bushes  flanking  its  trellised  porch, 
and  moss-coated  by  age,  was  the  one  pitiful  feature 
and  suggestive  of  an  ancient  tombstone.  A  pleas- 
anter  picture  next  appeared  in  Hazel,  now  respond- 
ing to  his  knock  on  the  open  door,  who,  with  a  slight 
smile  and  "  Good  evening,  sir,"  invited  him  to  enter. 

"  I  must  be  excused,"  she  added,  after  taking  his 
hat  and  ushering  him  into  the  parlor.  "  I  am  cook 
and  waiting  maid  both,  you  see,  and  father  will 
soon  be  in  to  entertain  you." 

"  So  it's  father  whose  guest  I  am,"  mused  Stacy 


50  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

after  she  left  the  parlor,  and  then  he  looked  curi- 
ously around  this  antique  "  keeping  room."  It  was 
that  most  certainly,  for  its  faded  carpet,  once  an 
array  of  big  red  and  yellow  flowers  and  green 
leaves,  its  chairs  of  shiny  haircloth,  open  fireplace, 
brass  firedogs,  and  lithographs  of  Revolutionary 
scenes  and  family  portraits  on  walls,  all  bespoke 
a  past  generation.  The  one  half -modern  feature 
was  a  square  piano,  on  which  lay  the  auto-harp  he 
had  seen  Hazel  playing,  and  a  banjo.  The  two 
pertinent  features  suggestive  of  herself  were  a 
book-filled  what-not  beside  the  piano  and  a  big 
cluster  of  freshly-picked  lilacs,  on  a  tiny  center  table. 

Stacy  had  scarcely  completed  this  inventory  when 
Uncle  Asa,  arrayed  in  ill-becoming  "  biled  "  shirt 
and  pepper-and-salt  suit,  came  in. 

"  I'm  glad  to  see  ye,  Mr.  Whipple,"  he  said,  with 
hand-clasp  as  cordial  as  his  tone ;  "  'n'  you  mustn't 
feel  yourself  company  jest  'cause  I  dressed  up.  I 
don't  like  store  clothes,"  he  added  confidentially, 
now  seating  himself  on  a  chair  as  if  afraid  he  would 
slip  off,  "  but  Martha  said  I  must  put  'em  on,  'n'  it 
sorter  keeps  wimmin  good-natered  to  do  ez  they 
say."  Then  he  smiled  in  a  knowing  way,  as  if 
sure  Stacy  would  understand  him. 

"  We  don't  hev  much  company,"  he  continued, 
without  waiting  any  answer,  "  only  a  couple  o'  gals 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  51 

here  Hazel  chums  with,  V  one  from  Barre,  who 
comes  summers  'n'  stays  quite  a  spell.  You  see, 
Hazel  was  thar  to  school  a  couple  o'  years,  'n' 
stayed  one  winter,  too,  'n'  it's  sorter  spiled  the 
i  young  fellers  here  fer  her.  Kinder  gin  her  notions 
'bout  'em." 

"  That  isn't  surprising,"  responded  Stacy,  "  and 
I  presume  a  girl  of  her  refinement  may  not  enjoy 
farmers'  sons,  unless  above  the  average." 

"  Wai,  that's  the  how  on't,  sartin,"  asserted 
Uncle  Asa,  as  if  all  of  Hazel's  notions  must  be 
right ;  "  'n'  gals  that's  kinder  got  teched  by  city  ways 
ain't  goin'  ter  put  up  with  fellers  that  ain't  p'tic'lar 
how  they  look,  'n'  come  to  see  a  gal  with  cowhides 
on.  'Tain't  nat'ral. 

"  We  got  a  little  trip  fixed  up  fer  to-morrow," 
he  continued,  after  a  pause ;  "  the  one  I  spoke  about 
to  go  down  the  crick  with  the  tide,  dig  some  clams, 
'n'  hev  a  boil.  I  kin  pull  my  pots,  too  —  hain't 
done  it  fer  three  days,  'n'  Hazel  'n'  them  two  chums 
o'  hers  is  goin',  too.  I'd  like  ye  to  jine  us." 

"  I  shall  be  most  happy  to  do  so,"  returned  Stacy, 
wondering  if  his  going  was  suggested  by  Uncle  Asa 
first  or  by  Hazel,  yet  glad  of  the  chance.  "  I 
imagine  such  an  outing  might  be  great  fun.  What 
time  shall  you  start  ?  " 

"  Oh,  'bout  nine,  when  the  ebb  tide  makes ;  ye 


52  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

see,  it's  four  miles  down  the  crick,  'n'  we  allus  go 
'n'  come  with  the  tide.  We'll  take  along  a  few 
fixin's  'n'  things  to  cook  with,"  he  explained,  "  'n' 
make  a  day  on't.  I'm  sorry  this  friend  o'  Hazel's 
from  Barre  ain't  here  ter  go,"  he  added,  after  a 
pause,  "  fer  she's  chock  full  o'  fun,  while  these 
two  other  gals  is  kinder  bashful,  'n'  mebbe'll  be  a 
little  afeard  o'  you."  Then  Martha  appeared, 
garbed  in  shiny  black  silk  with  jet  trimmings,  Stacy 
was  duly  introduced,  she  said,  "  Our  tea  is  ready, 
sir,"  in  ceremonious  manner,  and  led  the  way  into 
their  living-room,  where  Hazel  awaited  them. 

Tea-table  conversation  with  a  stranger  is  almost 
invariably  forced,  stilted,  and  painful.  On  this  oc- 
casion, and  evidently  a  state  affair  in  Martha's 
mind,  her  attempts  at  it  were  as  graceful  as  a  cow 
trying  to  waltz,  for,  evidently  imbued  with  the 
citified  importance  of  Stacy,  or  the  magic  of  the 
dollar  he  had  tendered  her  for  a  dinner,  it  appeared 
to  him  that  her  sole  wish  was  to  flatter  him  nauseat- 
ingly.  And  she  succeeded  to  that  extent  in  short 
order.  In  vain  he  evaded  and  disclaimed  her  at- 
tempts, and  when  he,  as  was  obligatory,  .praised  the 
shortcake,  with  rich  cream  poured  over  it,  he  felt 
sure  that  she  would  answer,  "If  'twas  all  cream, 
it  wouldn't  be  any  too  good  for  you,  sir." 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  53 

But  he  was  spared  that  climax  of  absurd  flattery, 
for  Uncle  Asa  got  ahead  of  her. 

"  Shortcake's  good  vittles,"  he  mumbled,  his 
mouth  full  of  it,  "  'n'  nothin'  better,  'speshly  if  ye 
put  plenty  o'  cream  on't  This  wuz  Hazel's,  'n'  all 
right.  She  took  arter  her  mother  in  knowin'  how 
to  make  'em.  'N'  do  ye  know,  Mr.  Whipple,"  he 
added,  as  if  to  crush  Martha,  "  I  allus  cal'late 
knowin'  how  to  cook  is  sorter  inherited.  Now, 
thar  wuz  Hazel's  mother;  she  made  shortcake  jist 
like  this,  no  better,  though,  'n'  'twas  eatin'  one  on 
'em  fust  set  me  to  thinkin'  I  wanted  to  git  her 
fer  a  wife  if  I  could.  'N'  I  did.  I  miss  her,"  he 
continued,  after  a  pause  and  sigh.  "  Miss  her  more 
'n'  more  ez  the  years  go  by,  fer  she  wuz  the  best 
woman  ever  wuz  fer  me." 

That  this  tribute  to  Hazel's  mother  was  not 
relishable  to  Martha  was  evident  to  Stacy.  That 
it,  also,  pleased  Hazel  was  evinced  by  a  tender 
glance  from  her  to  her  father,  and  then  the  subject 
was  dropped. 

"  Good  livin'  is  'bout  all  we  git  out  o'  life," 
asserted  Uncle  Asa,  a  moment  later ;  "  that  is, 
'cordin'  to  my  notion.  Wimmin,  as  is  nat'ral,  think 
more  o'  fine  clothes.  They'd  'most  starve,  some  on 
'em,  fer  a  new  dress,  'n'  when  I  go  to  meetin'  'n' 


54  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

see  a  string  on  'em  come  struttin'  in  with  new, 
shiny  bunnits  on,  I  allus  think  o'  a  flock  o'  peacocks 
on  parade.  'N'  the  way  they  look  sideways  ez  they 
go  up  the  aisle,  makes  me  feel  they  are  thinkin', 
'  Look  at  me,  now.  Ain't  my  new  bunnit  too  sweet 
f er  anything ! ' 

But  table  conversation  is  too  pointless  to  quote 
extendedly,  and  this  one  was  no  exception.  Once 
started,  Uncle  Asa  monopolized  it,  Stacy  adroitly 
urging  him  on  purposely  to  discomfit  Martha  and 
her  absurd  flatteries.  And  his  droll  and  optimistic 
utterances  were  as  new  wine  to  Stacy,  who  began 
to  admire  him  thoroughly. 

Hazel,  however,  who  had  undoubtedly  supervised 
this  most  excellent  meal,  and  was  now  content  to 
see  their  guest  well  served,  said  but  little.  She 
was  the  real  hostess,  however;  gracious,  yet  digni- 
fied, and  the  little  she  said,  or  its  tone  and  her 
casual  glances,  convinced  Stacy  that  what  Landlord 
Sam  had  said  was  true,  and  that  she  almost  hated 
her  stepmother. 

Also,  that  he  had  so  far  failed  to  advance  one 
iota  in  her  confidence. 


CHAPTER  V 

WHILE  strawberry-shortcake  was  the  os- 
tensible object  of  Stacy's  begged-for 
invitation,  his  real  one  was  further 
opportunity  of  conversation  with  the  cool,  keen- 
witted, fascinating  Hazel.  It  was  five-thirty  when 
he  arrived  at  the  Webster  home,  and  past  nine  be- 
fore Uncle  Asa  (who  had  led  the  way  to  the  trel- 
lised  porch,  followed  later  by  Hazel)  yawned,  said 
"  I  guess  it's  'bout  time  to  turn  in ;  be  on  hand  in 
good  time,  to-morrow,  Mr.  Whipple,"  and  bade  him 
good-night. 

And  then  Stacy,  seated  on  the  upper  porch  step, 
his  charmer  in  a  low  chair,  as  far  from  him  as 
possible,  was  —  much  to  his  satisfaction  —  alone 
with  her.  To  add  romance,  if  any  were  needed, 
the  moon  was  just  peeping  over  the  wooded  hills, 
fireflies  twinkled  above  the  meadow  below  them 
and  in  the  maples,  and  the  only  sound  heard  in 
this  secluded  dell  was  the  near-by  murmuring 
brook. 

"  I  little  thought  the  other  day,  while  fighting 
my  way  through  that  awful  swamp,"  began  Stacy, 

55 


56  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

"  that  I  should  come  upon  you  at  its  outlet,  or  find 
so  delightful  a  man  as  your  father,  Miss  Webster. 
It's  been  only  about  three  days  since  I  accosted 
him,  and  he  already  seems  like  a  father  to  me,  and 
one  of  the  salt  of  the  earth." 

"  I  am  glad  you  like  him,"  returned  Hazel  cour- 
teously. "  He  is  all  the  world  to  me.  He  and  my 
band  of  pupils,"  she  added  after  a  pause,  "  for  they 
occupy  most  of  my  thought  during  school  terms." 

"  And  so  you  are  not  lonesome  here,  in  this  quiet 
hamlet?  "  queried  Stacy  curiously.  "  I  should  think 
you  might  be  ?  " 

"  No,  never ;  my  school  and  helping  mother,  for 
we  keep  no  girl,  takes  all  my  time,  and  when  I  want 
company  I've  two  girl  friends  glad  to  see  me. 
Then  I  love  books,  for  they  are  even  more  enter- 
taining friends." 

"  And  your  music,"  interrupted  Stacy.  "  I  see 
you  have  a  piano  and  banjo,  as  well  as  auto-harp  — 
when  do  they  come  in  ?  " 

"  Why,  odd  hours,"  she  smiled,  "  or  when  I  feel 
sentimental.  Then  I  strum  away  on  one  or  an- 
other of  them,  according  to  my  mood." 

"And  theirs,  also,  I  assume,  for  each  has  a  dif- 
ferent one,  I've  a  theory  ?  " 

"  Yes,  that  is  so,"  she  answered  interestedly ; 
"  and  they  are  wide  apart.  A  piano  is  of  the  city, 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  57 

and  without  soul  or  feeling,  an  auto-harp  suggests 
the  romantic  ballads  of  the  Irish  nation  or  Scotch 
love  songs,  while  a  banjo  bears  me  to  the  Sunny 
South  and  its  plantation  scenes  and  barn  dances, 
or  black  Romeos  canoeing  with  their  dusky  Juliets." 

"I  see  you  have  either  traveled  much  or  read 
widely,"  he  interposed,  "  or  you  could  not  so  locate 
the  moods  of  your  musical  instruments:  Which 
is  it,  if  I  may  ask?  " 

"  Why,  reading,"  she  answered  candidly.  "  The 
only  large  city  I  was  ever  in  was  yours,  with  father, 
for  a  four  days'  visit,  and  I  was  at  school  in  Barre, 
which,  I  presume,  you  would  call  provincial." 

"  Well,  yes  and  no,  Miss  Webster,"  he  returned 
as  candidly.  "  Provincialism  is  not  defined  by  the 
size  of  a  town,  but  rather  by  the  average  culture 
of  its  inhabitants.  I  was  never  in  Barre  but  once, 
and  then  on  business.  I  should  judge,  as  I  now  re- 
call its  people  and  public  buildings,  churches  and 
library,  that  it  could  not  be  classed  as  provincial." 

Then,  and  with  the  intention  of  drawing  her 
out,  he  led  the  conversation  into  the  book  world, 
with  results  that  astonished  him.  He  was  fairly 
well  read  himself  for  a  busy  man,  both  in  current 
fiction  and  the  classics;  had  traveled  much  and 
attained  to  the  intellectual  polish  which  contact  with 
all  classes  and  grades  of  humanity  gives;  was  a 


58 

keen  observer  of  human  nature;  and  yet  here,  in 
this  byway  hamlet,  and  now  seated  near  him,  was 
a  rustic  maid  (so  believed  by  him)  who  had  outread 
him  two  to  one,  and  with  a  keen  discernment  and 
scope  of  analysis  that  astounded  him.  She  had  not 
traveled  at  all,  yet  the  life  in  frontier  towns  of 
the  West,  their  people,  habits,  manners,  and  cus- 
toms, with  which  he  was  familiar,  were  as  much 
so  to  her.  Through  reading  she  had  seen  miners' 
cabins,  gambling  saloons,  dance  halls,  their  orgies, 
shootings,  lynchings,  and  all  that  made  up  frontier 
life.  She  had  thus  seen  cowboy  roundups,  their 
"  chuck  wagon,"  branding  operations,  and  wild  rides 
through  towns,  shooting  at  everybody  and  every- 
thing. She  was  as  familiar  as  he  with  the  grand 
canyons  of  the  West,  its  wondrous  Garden  of  the 
Gods,  imposing  mountains,  vast  plains  and  alkali 
deserts  —  even  more  so,  in  a  way.  Purposely,  too, 
perhaps,  and  to  confound  this  city  man,  who  she 
knew  had  traveled  in  this  region,  she,  with  fem- 
inine wit,  not  only  asked  him  questions  that  he 
found  hard  to  answer,  but  politely  contradicted 
him  now  and  then. 

Conversation  has  been  aptly  described  as  a  game 
of  circles,  in  which  each  participant  tries  to  sur- 
round and  outdo  the  other.  In  this  case,  Stacy,  a 
trifle  conceited,  perhaps,  not  only  found  himself 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  59 

outdone  gracefully,  but  often  put  on  the  defensive. 

"  I  confess  you  surprise  me  with  your  wide  range 
of  reading,  Miss  Webster,"  he  admitted  at  last. 
"  And  your  retentive  memory.  Once  you  read  a 
book,  its  facts  are  at  your  tongue's  end  and  in 
orderly  array.  I've  met  some  so-called  bookish 
ladies,  but  you  surpass  them  all  for  a  retentive 
memory  and  absorption  of  data." 

"  I  do  not  read  so  much  to  amuse  myself  as  to 
improve  myself,"  she  returned  in  a  gratified  tone. 
"I  have  never  traveled;  I  never  expect  to,  but  I 
wish  to  know  how  other  people  live,  and  all  about 
their  manners  and  customs." 

"  But  when  and  how  do  you  find  the  time?  "  he 
queried  in  surprised  tone.  "  You  said  your  school 
and  home  duties  absorbed  it  all?  " 

"  You  have  never  lived  in  the  country  much, 
I  guess,"  with  a  light  laugh,  "  or  you  wouldn't 
ask  that.  Do  you  know  what  it  is  to  have  weeks, 
months,  years  of  evenings,  with  nothing  to  do  but 
read  ?  There  are  no  social  diversions  in  Oakdale," 
she  continued  regretfully,  "  no  theaters,  not  even  a 
town  hall  to  tempt  an  Uncle  Tom's  Cabin  band  of 
barnstormers,  no  dances,  not  even  the  old  vulgar 
'  kissing  parties,'  so  all  we  can  do  is  to  eat,  read  and 
sleep." 

"  And  so  you  consider  the  old-fashioned  kissing 


60  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

parties  vulgar?"  responded  Stacy,  smiling.  "I 
thought  them  great  larks  in  my  country-town  boy- 
hood." 

"I  do,"  she  returned  spiritedly;  "especially 
among  grown  people,  as  used  to  be  the  case  here. 
They  may  be  permissible  among  school  children, 
though  a  silly  diversion,  but  for  a  gathering  of 
adults  —  married  and  single  —  to  disport  them- 
selves in  that  way  is  —  disgusting  to  me.  There 
are  some  things  that  should  always  wear  a  halo." 

"  I  think  you  are  right,  Miss  Webster,"  he  ad- 
mitted slowly,  after  a  pause,  "  quite  right.  But 
I  was  only  thinking  of  them  among  children,  and 
now,  as  it's  nearly  time  for  me  to  bid  you  good- 
night, please  won't  you  bring  out  your  auto-harp 
and  play  the  tune  I  thought  was  ghost  music  the 
day  I  pounced  out  of  the  woods  and  scared  you 
so?  It's  been  haunting  me  ever  since.  Please 
favor  me  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  play  before  strangers,"  she  answered 
quite  coolly.  "  I  am  not  expert  enough." 

"  I  hope  some  day  you  won't  class  me  as  a 
stranger,"  pointedly,  "  but  I  can't  accept  your  ex- 
cuse. Please  favor  me  just  once?  " 

"  You  won't  demand  an  encore,  I  am  positive," 
she  responded,  laughing  lightly,  and  without  fur- 
ther evasion  rose  and  brought  forth  her  auto-harp. 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  61 

More  than  that,  and  as  if  she  wished  to  make 
amends  for  her  own  chilly  demeanor,  she  not  only 
played  that  plantation  melody  with  exquisite  grace 
and  charm,  but  several  other  old-time  ballads 
equally  adapted  to  that  instrument. 

And  never  before  in  Stacy's  life  were  time,  place 
and  music  so  in  accord  with  his  own  mood  and 
feelings ! 

The  gem  of  them  all,  and  her  concluding  one, 
was,  "  The  Last  Rose  of  Summer,"  and  then  she 
laid  aside  her  harp.  It  seemed  a  suggestive  act  and 
he  promptly  rose  to  go. 

"  I  thank  you,  Miss  Webster,"  he  said  feelingly, 
"  not  only  for  your  many  favors  but  the  delightful 
evening  I've  passed.  May  I  ask  the  favor  of  an- 
other while  I  am  here?" 

"  Perhaps  I  shall  see  you,"  she  returned  evasively. 
"  You  are  to  be  with  us  to-morrow  I  understand." 
Then,  and  much  to  his  surprise,  she  held  out  her 
hand. 

And  just  then  he  felt  like  stooping  to  kiss  it,  in- 
stead of  an  instant's  light  meeting  of  their  fingers. 
And  that  favor  made  the  moonlight  that  now  shone 
in  fantastic  patches  through  the  maples  adown  the 
lane  he  followed,  the  fireflies  in  them,  the  low  mel- 
ody of  the  brook  beside  it,  the  broad  meadows  be- 
yond bathed  in  silver  light,  the  mountains  further 


62  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

away  and  faintly  outlined,  each  and  all  seem  a  new 
and  wondrous  fairyland. 

"  In  love  ?  "  you  ask. 

No,  not  yet;  merely  touched  by  that  mystic, 
magic  wand  that  ever  has  created  and  ever  will 
create  this  world  anew. 

Another  vision  inspired  by  this  moonlit  landscape 
mainly,  yet  partially  also  by  the  piquant  Hazel,  soon 
came  to  Stacy  when  he  reached  the  top  of  a  low  hill 
half  way  back  to  Oakdale.  From  this  vantage  point 
the  village  beyond,  white  and  spectral  in  the  moon- 
light, rose  before  him.  To  the  left,  the  vale,  at  the 
apex  of  which  stood  that  hamlet,  opened  southward. 
Through  this  the  four-mile  spiral  of  Elbow  Creek, 
now  full  to  the  brim,  glistened  in  the  night's  silver 
light,  with  rim  of  ocean  bordering  it  and  reflecting 
Luna's  smile.  And  now,  halting  here  in  contem- 
plative mood  once  more,  Stacy  saw  the  city  his 
mission  here  was  possibly  to  bring  into  existence; 
saw  its  fine  buildings,  its  tall  church  spires,  its  busy 
streets,  its  crowding  population,  with  the  masts  of 
commerce  pointing  skyward  where  ocean  met  the 
broad  valley.  Then  back  to  Maple  Dell  his  mind 
now  turned,  and  to  the  pride  and  poverty  located 
there.  He  thought  of  Uncle  Asa,  well  on  in  years 
and  robbed  of  all  his  earnings,  of  his  household, 
barely  existing  in  the  worn-out,  moss-coated  house, 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  63 

and  of  Hazel,  doubtless  contributing  most  of  her 
meager  earnings  to  the  family  needs,  wearing  only 
the  simplest  raiment,  and  a  recluse,  while  capable  of 
being  a  social  leader.  And  as  each  feature  of  this 
prospective  city,  each  possibility  of  change  and  bet- 
terment to  Uncle  Asa  and  Hazel  —  now  going  to 
waste  through  the  gorge  of  Rocky  Glen  —  came  to 
Stacy  like  an  inspiration,  a  new  ambition  and  new- 
born desire  to  become  the  master  hand  and  bring 
this  forth  thrilled  him.  With  it  also,  and  perhaps 
inspired  by  the  sequestered  romance  of  Hazel's 
syringa-embowered  and  trellised  porch,  and  auto- 
harp,  with  moonlight  and  firefly  setting,  came  an- 
other and  sweeter  ambition  with  her  as  its  queen. 

Only  for  the  moment,  however,  did  he  feel  sure, 
for  recalling  his  one  love  experience  and  its  humilia- 
tion, his  ever-present  distrust  of  all  womankind,  his 
love  of  freedom  and  latent  skepticism,  as  he  now 
did,  that  hope  or  outcome  seemed  but  a  passing 
mood. 

"  It's  moonlight,  music,  and  soulful  eyes  com- 
bined, that's  all,"  he  said  to  himself,  now  striding 
onward  towards  the  hotel,  "  and  to-morrow  it  will 
all  vanish  like  a  cloud  shadow.  But  I'd  like  to  pull 
Uncle  Asa  out  of  his  hole,  and  dress  Hazel  as  she 
deserves,  for  all  that." 

And  that  impulse  and  ambition  has  built  more 


64  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

homes  and  consummated  more  marriages  than  all 
others  combined. 

Hazel,  however,  felt  quite  otherwise  just  now,  for 
unknown  to  her  father  she  was  perfectly  conscious 
that  he  had  been  robbed  by  Curtis  North  and  would 
never  receive  a  penny  from  his  investment.  But 
tell  him  so,  or  even  hint  it?  Never,  not  if  she  were 
forced  to  walk  barefoot  across  coals  of  fire! 

"  I  can't  understand  why  that  man  is  so  anxious 
to  make  up  with  father,  or  flatter  me,"  she  said  to 
herself  after  Stacy  had  vanished  down  the  lane. 
"  He  is  nice-appearing,  polite  as  '  by  your  leave/  but 
I  am  afraid  of  him.  He  talks  too  sweetly.  There 
is  something  back  of  his  excuse  that  he  is  here  for 
a  week's  outing.  City  men  don't  come  to  Oakdale 
alone  just  for  that !  I  shall  watch  him !  Anyhow, 
he  can't  wheedle  more  money  out  of  father,  for  he 
hasn't  any  more !  " 


CHAPTER  VI 

ANOTHER  breakfast  upon  the  same  soiled 
tablecloth  at  Landlord  Gates's  hostelry  and 
another  rare  June  day  had  come  when 
Stacy  walked  out  of  "  The  Corners  "  following  the 
now  familiar  road  toward  Uncle  Asa's.  A  few 
farmers  were  mowing  upon  the  upland  meadows 
east  of  Oakdale,  the  whir  and  clatter  of  mowing 
machines  mingled  with  the  bobolinks'  singing  as 
they  circled  about  and  above  the  roadway;  to  the 
southward  the  valley  opened  its  broadening  vista 
of  green  salt  marsh,  and  a  dozen  left-over  stacks  of 
salt  hay  rose  in  the  distance  just  back  from  the 
bordering  ocean.  Uncle  Asa's  boathouse  peeped 
above  the  green  expanse  a  few  hundred  rods  out 
from  and  opposite  the  lane  leading  up  to  his  home, 
and  here  Stacy  found  the  path,  a  single  plank  walk 
on  stilts  leading  out  to  it.  Here,  also,  he  now 
found  the  three  girls  and  Uncle  Asa  awaiting  him. 
A  pleasant  greeting  from  the  latter  and  Hazel, 
and  an  introduction  to  two  plump  country  girls, 
Mollie  Bascom  and  Bertha  Phinney,  who  eyed  him 
curiously,  came  next.  Stacy  assisted  them  into 


66  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

Uncle  Asa's  big  dory,  the  mast  and  lug  sail  of 
which  were  now  furled  and  projecting  from  the 
bow.  Uncle  Asa  grasped  the  oars,  and  the  start 
down  the  four-mile  course  of  the  winding  creek 
was  made. 

"  It's  perty  easy  goin'  out  with  the  current,"  ob- 
served Uncle  Asa  as  the  well-loaded  craft  swept 
onward  with  the  outgoing  tide,  "  but  it's  a  long  way 
back  agin  it.  We  allus  start  on  top  o'  the  tide," 
he  added,  glancing  over  his  shoulder  to  swing 
around  a  bend,  "  'n'  come  back  with  it." 

"  I  might  save  you  watching  your  course  by  steer- 
ing with  the  spare  oar,"  asserted  Stacy,  noticing 
the  need  of  it;  "  that  is  if  one  of  you  two  girls  on 
the  back  seat  will  change  places  with  me,"  he  added, 
addressing  them. 

Hazel,  who  was  one  of  them,  arose  speedily,  the 
exchange  was  made,  and  Stacy,  piqued  a  trifle  by  her 
evident  wish  to  let  the  other  girl  sit  beside  him, 
began  steering. 

But  the  day,  the  anticipation,  the  exhilaration  of 
the  inblowing  sea  breeze,  together  with  Uncle  Asa's 
droll  badinage  and  the  bantering  of  Hazel's  two 
friends,  soon  drove  away  Stacy's  pique  and  began  to 
merge  him  into  the  jollity  of  the  outing,  and  a  share 
in  the  chaffing.  Hazel  also  thawed  out  a  trifle,  now 
and  then  he  received  a  smile  from  her,  and  later,  at 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  67 

the  request  of  her  father,  she  reached  under  a  piece 
of  old  sail,  covering  a  hamper,  and  sundry  "  fixin's  " 
in  the  bow  of  the  dory,  and  much  to  his  surprise 
drew  forth  a  banjo. 

She  played  and  sang,  too,  off  hand,  without  urg- 
ing, "Nancy  Lee,"  "My  Roving  Sailor  Boy," 
"Old  Zip  Coon,"  and  similar  ditties,  the  other 
girls  joined  in,  Uncle  Asa's  face  wore  a  contented 
smile,  and  so  the  outgoing  trip  was  made.  And  a 
jolly,  full-of-good-spirits  one,  it  was  also. 

At  the  mouth  of  the  creek,  Stacy,  his  mind  re- 
curring to  his  vision  of  a  populous  city  arising 
where  The  Corners  now  stood,  noticed  and  noted 
a  small  harbor  broadening  out  from  it  and  shut  in 
from  the  ocean  by  a  ridge  of  sand.  A  narrow  inlet 
gave  egress  at  one  end  of  this,  into  which  the  sea 
waves  entered  white-capped,  and  close  to  it  stood  a 
somewhat  dilapidated  spile  wharf. 

"  We'll  tie  up  here,"  said  Uncle  Asa,  pulling  up 
to  it,  "  V  unload.  Then  I'll  go  out  'n'  pull  my 
pots,  'n'  when  the  tide  lowers  'nuff  we'll  dig  some 
clams.  Hazel'll  show  you  whar  we  set  table  'n' 
make  a  fire,"  he  added,  glancing  at  Stacy  as  he 
stepped  out  on  the  wharf,  and  soon  the  landing  and 
unloading  was  accomplished.  Stacy  of  course 
made  himself  useful  as  Hazel  directed,  the  hamper, 
baskets,  and  a  big  iron  pot  were  carried  by  him  to 


68 

a  tiny  grove  at  one  end  of  the  sand  ridge,  and  then 
he  showed  his  tact  and  good  sense. 

"  You  girls  are  not  to  do  anything  except  to  set 
the  table  by  and  by,"  he  said,  assuming  leadership 
now.  "  Just  go  down  the  beach,  gather  shells  or 
dig  in  the  sand  like  children,  if  you  wish,  while  I 
pick  up  some  firewood.  I  am  here  to  do  the  work, 
so  let  me,  please."  And  nothing  loth,  off  the  three 
went.  Later,  and  as  he  expected,  he  noticed  them 
a  quarter-mile  away  down  the  beach,  minus  shoes 
and  stockings  and  skipping  back  and  forth  as  the 
incoming  waves  washed  up  and  met  them  on  the 
sloping  sands.  And  now,  well  versed  in  such  out- 
ings, he  first  unpacked  the  hampers,  spread  the 
tablecloth  on  the  table,  set  it  with  the  dishes,  piled 
the  food  upon  it  and  then  began  gathering  drift- 
wood for  fuel.  Then,  and  after  lighting  a  cigar, 
he  strolled  over  to  where  the  sea  waves  rolled  into 
the  inlet. 

Here,  also,  and  noticing  Uncle  Asa  far  to  sea- 
ward pulling  his  pots,  Stacy  looked  around,  im- 
pressed by  the  utter  solitude,  yet  sea-coast  charm  of 
his  surroundings.  Far  up  and  down  the  in  and 
out  curving  beach,  the  white-crested  waves  were 
curling  and  breaking,  a  flock  of  gulls  kept  circling 
above  or  lighting  upon  an  outjutting  sand  bar, 
sedge-covered  sand  dunes  arose  back  of  the  beach 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  69 

as  far  as  he  could  see,  and  beyond  them  were  low 
hills  covered  with  bushes,  while  inside  of  the  long 
sand  ridge  upon  which  he  stood  the  twenty-acre  bay 
was  barely  rippled  by  the  breeze.  Not  a  house  or 
human  being  was  now  visible  except  the  group  of 
girls  far  away  down  on  shore,  and  Uncle  Asa  a 
mile  to  seaward  in  his  dory.  Beyond  him,  how- 
ever, were  many  white-winged  coasters,  just  now 
suggestive  to  Stacy  of  what  the  future  of  this 
protected  bay  might  hold. 

For  a  long  hour,  and  seated  now  in  the  shade  of 
a  sedge-topped  sand  dune,  he  mused  upon  his  mis- 
sion here,  Hazel's  charm,  Uncle  Asa's  plight,  and  the 
grandeur  of  a  lonely  wave-washed  shore  stretching 
miles  away.  He  grew  a  little  lonely,  too,  in  his  soli- 
tude, and  when  he  saw  the  girls  returning,  hastened 
to  meet  them.  He  felt  grateful,  too,  for  their 
smiles,  even  the  quiet  little  one  from  Hazel,  and  the 
"  You  have  made  yourself  very  useful,"  which  she 
vouchsafed  when  noticing  what  he  had  done.  Then 
Uncle  Asa,  with  his  lug  sail  set,  rounded  into  the 
cove,  Stacy  hurried  to  meet  him,  saw  that  his  pots 
had  yielded  a  fine  catch  of  lobsters,  and  now,  the 
tide  being  out,  the  two,  with  basket  and  clam  fork, 
set  about  securing  the  main  item  of  the  forthcoming 
feast. 

"How   deep  is  the   water  in  this  back   bay?" 


70  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

queried  Stacy  when  with  shoes  and  stockings  off  he 
was  picking  up  the  clams  out-turned  by  Uncle  Asa's 
fork. 

"  Wai,  it's  'bout  three  fathom  in  the  channel,  low 
tide,"  answered  Uncle  Asa,  "  'n'  mebbe  one  to 
two  over  most  on't." 

"  A  fair-sized  schooner  could  run  in  then,"  re- 
joined Stacy  nonchalantly. 

"  Wai,  yes,  at  high  water,"  returned  Uncle  Asa, 
unconscious  of  his  companion's  thought.  "  Thar  is 
one  fetches  coal  fer  Squire  Phinney  every  fall,  a 
two-hundred-tonner  owned  in  Barre.  I've  some- 
times thought,"  he  added  slowly,  "  that  if  the  crick 
wuz  dug  out  some,  she  could  be  towed  up  to  whar 
my  boathouse  is,  'n'  save  haulin'  coal  over  four 
mile  o'  sand.  Nobody  thinks  on't,  though,  but  me. 
In  fact,  nobody  comes  down  here  much  but  me,  'n' 
I  pick  up  a  good  many  dollars  ketchin'  'n'  sellin' 
lobsters,  year  through.  I'd  ruther  do  that  than 
farm  it.  I  like  the  smell  o'  the  sea,  too,  'n'  it's 
bracin'." 

"  Oakdale's  asleep,"  thought  Stacy,  "  but  it  will 
wake  up  a  year  from  now."  Then  the  clams  were 
washed,  Stacy  put  on  his  foot  garb,  and  the  two 
men  returned  to  where  the  girls  were. 

Uncle  Asa  took  charge  now,  put  sea  water  in 
the  big  iron  pot  he  had  brought,  filled  it  with  clams, 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  71 

started  the  fire,  then  went  to  his  boat  and  returned 
with  five  lobsters  split  and  ready  for  broiling. 
Meanwhile,  Hazel  and  her  two  mates  had  reset  the 
table,  adding  a  few  wild  flowers  they  had  brought, 
and  in  due  time  the  party  gathered  around  it  and 
partook  of  a  meal,  the  zest  of  which,  aided  by  the 
crisp  sea  breeze,  can  never  be  equaled  by  any  cafe 
or  hotel  the  wide  world  over.  The  crowning  fea- 
ture, also,  was  an  ample  supply  of  field  strawberries, 
picked  by  Hazel  that  morning,  with  a  jar  of  cream 
that  came  packed  in  ice,  to  add  richness. 

And  just  now,  as  he  compared  this  meal  with  the 
corned-bee f-and-cabbage  one  of  the  day  previous, 
and  Hazel  with  the  gum-chewing  maid  who  served 
it,  Stacy  felt  that  for  once  the  gods  had  been  good 
to  him. 

After  this,  and  since  the  girls  insisted  upon  it, 
Stacy  and  Uncle  Asa  withdrew  to  a  shady  spot,  leav- 
ing them  to  attend  to  matters  for  which  they  were 
better  trained  than  men,  and  here  Uncle  Asa,  satis- 
fied with  what  had  come  about  so  far,  gave  utter- 
ance to  a  few  homely  truths  and  confidences  that 
may  well  be  quoted. 

"  Good  vittles,"  he  said  in  response  to  praise 
from  Stacy  of  this  unique  meal,  "  is  'bout  all  the 
real  comfort  we  git  out  o'  livin',  arter  all.  We 
build  fine  houses,  put  on  show-off"  clothes  'n'  strut 


72  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

'round  some,  but  nothin',  to  my  mind,  is  more  con- 
solin'  than  suthin'  that  tastes  jist  right.  We  live 
quiet-like,"  he  added  as  if  that  needed  assert- 
ing, "  Martha  keeps  the  house  clean,  now  'n'  then 
chases  me  with  a  mop  or  broom,  Hazel  goes  to 
meetin'  to  sing  twice  a  week,  'n'  fetches  'nuff  prayer 
home  to  keep  us  goin',  'n'  so  we  live.  Then  thar's 
the  two  boys,  Martha's  ye  know;  wal,  them  boys, 
I  cal'late,  never  inherited  much  o'  the  grace  o'  good- 
ness, or  ketched  it  either.  They  keep  me  guessin' 
most  o'  the  time  to  figger  out  what  scrape  they'll 
git  into  next.  I  can't  coax  'em  or  scare  'em  to 
work,  they  play  hookey  from  school  'most  every 
day  —  I'm  glad  they  don't  go  to  Hazel's  —  'n'  my 
idee  is  they'll  fetch  up  in  jail.  Curis,  too,"  he 
added  meditatively,  "  how  what's  bred  in  the  bone'll 
come  out  in  the  flesh.  Now  their  father  —  wal,  he 
was  counted  no  good,  'n'  hung  himself  in  a  fit  o' 
tremers,  'n'  —  wal,  I  s'pose  my  takin'  up  Martha 
'n'  them  boys  was  one  o'  the  crosses  the  parson 
sez  we've  all  got  to  shoulder  to  git  into  heaven.  I 
think  I'll  arn  a  harp,  too,  if  them  boys  keeps  on 
the  way  they're  goin'. 

"  Thar's  one  thing  allus  comforts  me,"  he  con- 
tinued after  a  pause ;  "  we  ain't  to  blame  fer  our 
relations,  but  I'm  dern  thankful  we  kin  pick  our 
friends.  Now,  I  hain't  many  relations  livin',  but 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  73 

those  I  had  allus  borrowed  money  o'  me  'n'  never 
paid  it  back,  'n'  one,  a  nevy,  cost  me  over  a  thou- 
sand dollars  gittin'  him  out  o'  scrapes,  'n'  when  I 
wouldn't  any  more,  called  me  a  cussed  miser." 

"Ungrateful,  eh?"  interjected  Stacy. 

"Wai,  no,  couldn't  call  it  that,"  returned  Uncle 
Asa;  "jist  the  habit  o'  relations.  I've  heard  it 
said,  if  ye  want  money  go  to  strangers,  if  ye  want 
advice  go  to  friends,  'n'  if  ye  want  nothin',  go  to 
your  relations,  but  mine  allus  turned  this  'round 
'n'  kep'  me  poor."  Then  he  paused,  sighed,  and 
looked  away  out  over  the  broad  ocean,  as  if  a  less 
selfish  world  might  lie  beyond  it. 

"  I  hain't  much  longer  to  stay,"  he  continued 
after  this.  "  I've  done  the  best  I  could  for  every- 
body, 'n'  the  one  thing  worryin'  me  is  Hazel  'n' 
her  futer.  Martha's  got  'nuff  to  live  on  in  her 
own  right,  but  all  I  got  fer  Hazel  is  the  house  that 
ain't  wuth  shinglin',  some  land,  'most  worn  out, 
B'ar  Hole  Swamp,  'n'  that  Rawhide  stock.  'N' 
when  I  git  thinkin'  on't  'n'  the  cuss  that  bamboozled 
me,  my  hide  gits  raw,  too,  dern  him ! 

"  Hazel  is  peculiar,  too,"  he  added  after  another 
pause ;  "  so  fussy  she  won't  look  at  Oakdale  boys, 
'count  o'  their  manners  'n'  ways.  One  on  'em  tried 
to  spark  her,  fact  all  on  'em  hev  one  time  or  'nother, 
but  this  un,  wal,  he  come  courtin'  with  cowhide 


74  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

boots  'n'  dirty  shirt  on,  'n'  Hazel  shut  the  door  in 
his  face.  I  gin  her  two  years  o'  schoolin'  in  Barre, 
let  her  stay  thar  one  winter  to  ketch  onto  city  ways, 
V  it  spiled  her  fer  Oakdale  fellers,  I'm  sartin." 

And  just  now,  recalling  her  as  she  impressed  him 
the  evening  previous,  Stacy  did  not  wonder  at  it. 

He  also  felt  a  little  piqued  at  the  way  she  had 
treated  him  so  far  this  day.  He  had  not  expected 
any  alone-with-her  chats  with  these  two  mates  of 
hers  in  the  party,  still  she  might  have  been  more 
companionable,  and  at  least  invited  him  to  gather 
shells  or  pick  flowers  with  herself  and  her  com- 
panions, in  place  of  the  long  hour  he  was  left  to 
solitary  meditation,  he  thought.  And  just  now, 
with  dishes  washed  and  packed,  instead  of  joining 
Uncle  Asa  and  himself,  they  were  again  romping 
down  the  beach,  throwing  skip-stones  or  gathering 
shells.  Beyond  all  question,  he  wasn't  in  the  game, 
or  so  considered. 

But  the  rising  tide  and  lowering  sun  soon  said 
that  it  was  time  to  return,  at  least  Uncle  Asa  now 
asserted  it,  and  led  the  way  to  reloading  the  boat, 
and  the  return  was  begun.  Then,  and  for  the  first 
time  during  this  day's  outing,  Miss  Hazel  disclosed 
a  shade  of  coquetry,  or  disposition  to  be  kind  to 
Stacy. 

"  I'm  going  to  sit  in  the  stern  with  you,  Mr. 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  75 

Whipple,"  she  said  gaily,  as  she,  first  to  enter  the 
boat,  did  so.  "  I  like  to  look  ahead  and  watch  the 
birds,  and  sometimes  we  see  a  muskrat  plunge  off 
the  bank." 

"Will  you  play  the  banjo  if  I  permit  you?  "  he 
returned,  in  the  same  bantering  tone.  "If  so,  I 
shall  esteem  it  an  honor." 

"  If  you  will  sing,  I'll  play,"  she  replied,  smiling 
at  him,  for  the  fact  was  that  this  occult  little  lady 
felt  that  their  guest  deserved  some  consideration. 

And  now,  across  the  bay  and  into  the  narrowing 
creek;  with  their  boat  in  the  shadow  of  the  tall 
marsh  grass,  she  tuned  up  her  banjo,  and  even 
Uncle  Asa  felt  compelled  to  join  in  the  chorus  of 
"  Dandy  Jim  of  Caroline,"  "  Kingdom  Coming," 
"  Old  Nicodemus,"  "  Suwanee  River,"  and  a  dozen 
other  plantation  ballads  suited  to  a  banjo.  Now 
and  then  she  interjected  a  sentimental  one,  and 
when  the  mountain  shadow  had  crossed  the  nar- 
rowing valley  and  they  nearing  home,  she  sang 
"Nellie  Gray"  and  "  Masaa's  in  the  Cold,  Cold 
Ground  "  with  a  caress  of  feeling,  and  marvelous 
soprano  voice,  that  thrilled  every  fiber  of  Stacy's 
soul. 

"  I  don't  like  them,"  she  said,  in  response  to  his 
words  of  praise,  after  she  stopped.  "  Those  songs 
are  too  melancholy.  They  seem  appropriate,  how- 


76  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

ever,  just  at  sunset,  after  a  pleasant  day's  outing," 
she  added  a  moment  later,  "  and  a  contrast  from 
the  foolish  ones  I've  been  inflicting  upon  you." 

Stacy,  of  course,  as  was  his  duty,  helped  Uncle 
Asa  carry  things  up  to  the  house,  gave  due  thanks  to 
both  him  and  Hazel  for  the  day's  enjoyment,  bade 
them  adieu  courteously,  and  then,  carrying,  in  two 
packages,  the  two  pairs  of  lobsters  which  Uncle 
Asa  had  insisted  that  Hazel's  chums  should  take 
home,  he  departed  villageward  with  them. 

And  now  he  found  they  were  much  more  gra- 
cious and  chatty  with  him  during  the  walk  than 
Hazel  had  been. 

Later,  and  after  Uncle  Asa  had  finished  his  milk- 
ing, Hazel  met  him  at  the  barn-yard  gate. 

"  Has  Mr.  Whipple  said  anything  to  you  yet 
about  investing  in  any  mine  stock,  father?"  she 
asked. 

"  Why,  no,"  he  answered  positively ;  "  what  put 
that  into  your  head,  girlie  ?  " 

"  You  won't  if  he  does,  will  you,  father;  promise 
me  that?" 

"  Sartin,  sure  I  won't,"  watching  her  curiously. 
"  I  hain't  no  more  money  to  put  into  anything." 
Then,  and  after  another  long  stare  at  her,  he  added, 
"  Put  that  notion  right  out  o'  your  head,  Hazel,  'n' 


77 

keep  it  out.     That  man  ain't  no  mine  sharper,  he 
ain't,  'n'  I  like  him." 

"  So  you  did  the  other  one,  you  said,  father." 
"  That's  true,"  he  answered,  sighing ;  "  'n'  I  wuz 
wrong.     Mebbe  I'm  wrong  now,  mebbe  I  am." 

And  that  evening  Stacy,  who  found  Sam  and  his 
Old  Guard  almost  stupid  companions,  had  hard 
work  not  to  do  a  foolish  thing  —  or  what  seemed 
so  to  him  —  and  hie  himself  away  to  Maple  Dell. 


CHAPTER  VII 

A  RAINY  day  to  a  busy  man  in  a  city  is  but 
an  incident  scarce  noticed,  and  evaded  by 
an  umbrella,  while  in  transit  from  home  to 
office  or  store,  or  returning;  but  to  such  a  one,  shut 
in  a  small  country  village  hotel,  with  posters  on  its 
office  walls,  or  one  or  two  old  weekly  papers  for 
sole  reading  matter,  it  is  "pizen,"  as  Uncle  Asa 
would  say. 

Such  a  day  faced  Stacy  the  morn  succeeding  his 
delightful  shore  outing.  Sam  was  surly,  the  Old 
Guard  missing,  and  after  two  hours  of  watching 
the  highway,  while  not  a  soul  passed,  he  grew 
desperate,  donned  his  waterproof  coat,  and  with 
rod  and  basket  started  for  Rocky  Glen  brook.  A 
fair  catch  of  trout  and  a  thorough  soaking  were 
his  reward,  and  returning,  a  sudden  and  heavier 
downpour  as  he  neared  the  byway  schojplhouse  of 
Hazel's  occupancy,  drove  him  into  its  porch. 
Curiously  now,  and  for  what  reason  he  never  knew, 
he  tried  its  door  and,  much  to  his  surprise,  found 
it  unlocked.  To  enter  was  no  harm,  he  felt,  and 
so  he  did.  There  was  nothing  in  it  of  value,  school 

78 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  79 

term  having  closed  the  week  previous,  a  few  ink- 
stands and  useless  pens  scattered  along  the  wall- 
shelf —  the  old-time  way  around  desks  in  such 
temples,  the  teacher's  desk  was  locked,  and  back  of 
it,  above  the  small  platform,  was  the  customary 
blackboard.  All  these  simple  fittings  were  but  re- 
minders of  his  own  boyhood,  for  in  such  a  building 
Stacy  had  first  received  tuition,  and  then  as  his 
eyes  traversed  the  room,  a  curious  chalk-made  pic- 
ture on  the  blackboard  caught  them.  It  was  meant 
to  be  that  of  a  young  lady,  holding  a  rod  in  one 
hand,  a  book  in  the  other,  and  beneath  it  the  legend, 
"  My  teacher,  I  love  her." 

And  then,  despite  his  rain-soaked  condition  and 
hunger  —  it  was  past  noon  now  —  Stacy  laughed 
heartily  at  the  schoolboy  handiwork  and  inscription, 
both  so  grotesque  and  absurd. 

"  Well,  I  don't  blame  you,  whoever  you  are,"  he 
exclaimed  after  the  laugh;  "I  guess  I  shall  love 
her  myself  if  I  stay  here  a  week." 

And  then,  seating  himself  while  he  waited  for 
a  lull  in  the  downpour,  both  the  comic  and  pathetic 
side  of  this  incipient  love  disclosure  came  to  him. 

"  Love  is  both  the  biggest  fool  illusion  and  the 
nearest-to-heaven  one  that  stirs  human  emotions," 
he  commented  aloud.  "  I  know  just  how  that  boy 
felt.  I  had  the  same  dose  myself  once,  and  how 


80  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

many  miles  I  tramped  to  find  and  bring  that  blue- 
eyed  schoolma'am  bunches  of  arbutus  and  sweet 
flag  buds  to  win  a  thank-you.  I'm  glad  nobody 
but  myself  ever  knew.  And  what  double-distilled, 
dyed-in-the-wool  fools  that  insanity  will  make  of 
a  man,"  he  added,  now  thinking  of  La  Rosa 
Carmen ;  "  for  once  the  mania  is  on,  they  will  not 
only  sink  into  mumbling  idiocy,  but  find  forgiveness 
for  a  woman  who  not  only  betrays  every  trust,  but 
scorns  even  decency!  We  prate  about  being 
strong,  we  men,"  he  continued  sneeringly,  "  but  we 
are  as  limp  rags  wound  round  the  finger  of  a  pretty 
woman  when  in  love  with  her,  and  willing,  even 
thankful  to  be  used  to  wipe  her  shoes  with !  Bah, 
what  fools  we  are,  and  can't  help  it  either ! " 

Then  glancing  around  the  little  bare,  cheerless 
room,  with  its  warped  floor,  open  Franklin  stove, 
smoke-browned  rafters,  and  knife-hacked  benches, 
the  peculiar  situation  and  pathos  of  Hazel's  life 
came  to  him,  and  how,  even  on  the  worst  of  wintry 
days,  she  faced  icy  blasts  and  snowdrifts  to  earn 
a  few  dollars  to  help  pay  home  bills !  And  he  had 
lavished  over  a  thousand  in  eight  months  on  La 
Rosa  Carmen,  with  the  net  result  of  despising  him- 
self in  return! 

"I've  got  the  experience,  anyhow,"  he  muttered 
grimly,  now  leaving  the  poor  little  hovel  of  leajrn- 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  81 

ing,  "  but  guess  I'd  better  cut  stick  from  Oakdale 
before  I  get  any  more." 

When  he  reached  the  hotel  —  this  being  Satur- 
day—  a  letter  awaited  him  from  Bert  Colby,  his 
partner,  that  now  forced  the  same  conclusion. 

"If  you  are  satisfied  with  your  examinations  of 
Oakdale  streams  and  their  availability  for  our  pur- 
pose," it  said,  "  you  had  better  go  to  Barre  at  once 
and  close  contracts.  Make  dates  for  on-account 
payments  as  early  as  possible,  also  insert  a  for- 
feiture clause  in  contract,  all  properly  witnessed. 
Shall  expect  you  back  by  Wednesday.  There  is 
another  deal  on  which  may  necessitate  your  going 
to  Nevada  this  summer." 

"  All  right,  my  boy,"  exclaimed  Stacy,  after 
perusing  this  missive,  and  then  Uncle  Asa's  plight 
and  the  Rawhide  swindle  recurred  to  him  at  once. 

"  I'll  look  you  up,  Mr.  Curtis  North,  you  and 
your  swindling  act,  when  I  go  to  Nevada,"  he 
added,  "  and  see  if  there  is  any  show  to  jail  you." 

With  dry  clothing  on,  Stacy  now  betook  himself 
to  the  piazza  to  watch  the  sun,  just  smiling  out 
from  above  the  western  mountains,  and  wait  for 
supper  and  a  feast  upon  the  trout  he  had  brought 
in.  And  just  then  he  spied  Uncle  Asa  coming  up 
the  road  with  a  basket  in  his  hand. 

"  I  thought  I'd  fetch  ye  a  little  suthin'  to  tickle 


82  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

yer  tongue  with,"  he  said  cheerily,  now  mounting 
the  piazza,  where  Stacy  was  alone.  "  I  went  down 
the  crick  to-day  to  bait  my  pots  over,  'n'  dug  ye 
a  mess  o'  them  clams  ye  liked  so  well.  Thar's  four 
lobs,  too,"  he  added,  handing  the  weed-topped 
basket  to  Stacy,  "  'n'  ye  kin  hev  'em  briled  or  biled, 
ez  ye  like."  Then,  and  after  due  and  cordial  thanks 
from  Stacy,  he  seated  himself  near  him. 

"  Be  ye  goin'  to  stop  here  much  o'  next  week?  " 
he  queried  after  a  pause,  and  glancing  curiously  at 
Stacy.  "If  so,  mebbe  I  kin  take  ye  fishin'  'nother 
day,  or  we  kin  go  to  the  beach  agin,  jist  you  'n'  I 
'n'  Hazel,  or  take  her  chums  'long,  ez  ye  prefer. 
I  s'pose  ye  hev  other  business  here  'cept  jest  in- 
jyin'  yerself,  Mr.  Whipple?  " 

It  was  an  adroit  query  for  Uncle  Asa,  but  Stacy, 
keener  than  he  to  read  others'  minds,  saw  that 
something  lay  beyond  this. 

"  I  have  and  I  haven't,  Uncle  Asa,"  he  answered 
candidly.  "  That  is,  I  came  here  for  a  double 
reason;  the  principal  one  to  enjoy  a  few  days'  rest, 
the  other  to  look  this  town  over  for  a  purpose  I 
can't  even  hint  to  you.  It  isn't  to  sell  mine  stock  or 
anything  to  anyone,  however,"  he  added,  smiling. 
"  Some  day  I  will  tell  you  first  of  all  what  the 
purpose  is,  but  until  then,  may  I  ask  you  to  promise 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  83 

positively  not  to  repeat  what  I  have  said  to  anyone, 
not  even  to  your  daughter,  Hazel  ?  " 

"  I  will,  sartin,"  returned  Uncle  Asa,  looking  re- 
lieved ;  "  'n'  here's  my  hand  on't,"  and  he  extended 
his  to  Stacy. 

"  I  hope  ye'll  'scuse  me  for  sorter  pryin'  into  yer 
business,"  he  continued ;  "  only  knowin'  the  kind  o' 
layout  Sam  sets  up,  I  thought  it  must  be  some  busi- 
ness that  'ud  keep  ye  here  long." 

"  Not  more  than  a  month,  anyhow,"  laughed 
Stacy,  "  unless  you'd  take  me  for  a  boarder,  with 
fishing  or  on  shore  trips  every  day.  However,  I 
can't  go  again.  I  am  to  leave  here  Monday." 

"  I'm  sorry,  Mr.  Whipple,  derned  sorry,"  Uncle 
Asa  ejaculated  earnestly.  "  I've  kinder  took  to  ye 
ez  it  war,  'n'  I'd  like  to  see  more  o'  ye.  Can't  ye 
come  agin  'fore  summer's  gone?  " 

"  I  may,"  returned  Stacy,  his  heart  warming, 
"  and  you  may  be  sure  I  shall  expect  you  to  take  me 
on  all  sorts  of  outings  if  I  do."  He  came  near  add- 
ing Hazel's  name  to  this  cordial  wish,  but  did  not. 

'  There  is  another  matter  I  can  assure  you  on," 
he  continued  in  lower  tone  and  glance  at  the  hotel 
door.  "  I  shall  go  to  Nevada  this  summer  and  will 
look  up  your  mine  investment  and  advise  you  if 
there  is  any  show  for  you  to  get  your  money  back. 


84  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

Also,  and  if  possible,  I'll  set  the  minions  of  the  law 
on  this  Curtis  North  if  he  can  be  found." 

"  I  thank  ye,  Mr.  Whipple,  I  thank  ye  from  way 
down,"  responded  Uncle  Asa  earnestly,  and  rising, 
"  I  must  be  goin'  back  now,  it's  'most  chore  time. 
I'm  sorry  it's  Sunday  to-morrow,"  he  added,  offer- 
ing his  hand  again.  "  I'd  take  ye  out  some'rs  if 
'twa'n't.  You'll  —  you'll  drop  down  to  see  us  in 
the  evenin',  won't  ye  ?  " 

"  I  certainly  shall,"  returned  Stacy  as  earnestly, 
"  and  thank  you  for  your  kind  assurances  of  good 
will." 

"  Nice  old  man,"  he  soliloquized  after  Uncle  Asa 
was  well  away  from  the  hotel  steps ;  "  good  as  gold, 
and  honest  as  the  day  is  long.  But  how  the  devil 
came  he  to  link  that  termagant  widow  to  his  for- 
tunes or  poverty,  with  Hazel  to  keep  house  for 
him?" 

That  evening  with  its  late  rising  moon  to  once 
more  outline  the  winding  spiral  of  Elbow  Creek 
with  glints  of  silver  sheen  was  a  long  one  to  Stacy. 
Sam  and  the  Old  Guard  were  in  evidence  as  usual  on 
Saturday  evenings;  they  told  stories  galore  —  some 
new  to  Stacy,  some  that  were  on  crutches  when  he 
was  a  boy ;  they  discussed  Oakdale  gossip  and  Uncle 
Asa's  affairs  —  the  latter  with  a  freedom  that  now 
disgusted  Stacy,  until  finally  to  escape  this  boredom 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  85 

he  retreated  to  his  room  and  solace  of  a  lone  cigar. 
Oakdale,  while  a  charming  rural  hamlet,  held  only 
two  people  that  now  interested  him. 

Sunday  morning  dawned  bright  and  fair.  Stacy 
dressed  in  his  best,  waited  for  first  bell  call  and  the 
arriving  church  attendants,  then  as  soon  as  he  saw 
Hazel  come  up  the  road,  hastened  to  follow  her  into 
the  larger  of  the  two  churches,  and  seated  himself 
in  a  rear  pew.  The  usual  fair-sized  congregation 
was  there,  or  came  in  later.  The  regular  order  of 
prayer  first,  singing,  scripture-reading,  prayer  again, 
then  another  hymn,  came  duly,  but  the  only  face 
that  brought  furtive  glances  from  him  was  Hazel's 
piquant  one,  as  it  arose  from  the  choir  curtains  over 
or  back  of  the  pulpit.  The  second  hymn  was  sung 
by  her  alone  and  somehow  Stacy,  whose  eyes  never 
once  left  her  face  during  it,  now  wondered  how  so 
marvelously  sweet  a  voice  could  issue  from  such 
girlish  lips  and  throat.  And  best  of  all,  she  sang  as 
though  interceding  for  the  lives  of  her  hearers,  yet 
as  much  at  ease  as  a  bobolink  perched  on  a  tree- 
top.  He  wondered,  too,  if  she  saw  him,  hoped  she 
wouldn't  consider  his  coming  as  impertinent  curi- 
osity, or  his  watching  her  rude  conduct ;  and  as  this 
was  the  first  time  in  two  years  he  had  been  to 
church,  he  dropped  a  two-dollar  bill  —  folded  as 
small  as  possible  —  on  the  contribution  plate.  He 


86  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

was  stared  at  covertly  from  all  sides  and  the  moment 
the  benediction  was  uttered,  hastened  out. 

He  also  watched  for  Hazel  from  his  vantage  point 
of  the  hotel  piazza,  saw  her  emerge  from  the  sanc- 
tuary with  one  of  her  two  girl  chums  after  most  had 
left  it,  then  go  away  with  her.  Later,  the  two 
returned  together,  and  after  close  of  service  Stacy 
received  a  smile  and  bow  as  she  passed  the  hotel, 
homeward  bound. 

And  now  recalling  Uncle  Asa's  peculiar  inquiry, 
its  way  and  wording,  his  evident  relief  on  being 
assured  that  he  had  nothing  to  sell  Oakdale  people, 
Stacy  saw  a  light. 

"  Hazel  thinks  I  am  another  Curtis  North,"  he 
said  to  himself,  and  then  he  laughed  aloud  for  he  had 
been  seriously  hurt  by  her  almost  painful  coldness. 

Then  and  there,  also  he  formed  another  resolu- 
tion, two  resolutions  in  fact.  First,  that  he  would 
leave  no  stone  unturned  to  find  this  mine  swindler 
and  make  him  disgorge,  if  possible;  the  other,  that 
in  no  way  or  manner  would  he  attempt  to  disabuse 
Miss  Hazel  until  her  own  observation  had  enlight- 
ened her  as  to  his  kindly  good-will  toward  her  father. 
Pursuant  of  that  intention,  and  from  pique,  also,  he 
resolved  that  he  would  be  as  cool  and  indifferent 
towards  her  as  she  had  been  to  him,  at  the  call  he 
was  soon  to  make.  And  so  it  happened  when  he 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  87 

once  more  walked  leisurely  up  to  the  syringa-flanked 
front  porch  and  found  Uncle  Asa  and  Hazel  occupy- 
ing it,  his  greeting  to  her  was  formally  polite,  but 
very  cordial  to  her  father. 

"  I  enjoyed  those  clams  immensely,  Uncle  Asa," 
he  said  at  once.  "  Albion  is  so  far  inland  that  we 
never  get  them  there;  in  the  West  they  are  an  un- 
known delicacy,  and  the  banquet  you  served  on  the 
beach  was  one  I  shall  recall  many  times  —  espe- 
cially those  lobsters  you  broiled  so  nicely." 

"  Wai,  I'm  glad  on't,"  asserted  Uncle  Asa  bluntly, 
"  'n'  bein'  sorry  ez  I  allus  am  fer  folks  ez  has  to  live 
in  the  city  wuz  why  I  fetched  ye  'nother  mess. 

"  I  wouldn't  live  in  the  city  if  I  wuz  paid  fer't," 
he  continued,  "  street  cars  rattlin'  all  night,  folks 
bumpin'  'gainst  ye  whichever  way  ye  turn,  'n' 
skeered  all  the  time  least  ye  git  yer  pocket  picked. 
The  country's  good  'miff  fer  me." 

"  Yes,  and  for  me,  too,"  admitted  Stacy,  "  for  it 
makes  me  feel  myself  a  boy  again  and  takes  me  back 
to  boyhood  days  once  more.  I  went  fishing  in  the 
rain  yesterday,  Miss  Webster,"  he  continued  in  for- 
mal tone,  turning  to  her,  "  and  on  my  way  back  took 
refuge  in  your  schoolhouse  to  escape  a  shower  and 
had  a  hearty  laugh  over  what  I  saw  inside  it." 

"  You  did?  "  she  queried  curiously.  "  What  was 
it?" 


88  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

"  Why,  one  of  your  boy  pupils,  I  presume,  is  so 
enamored  of  you  that  he  has  drawn  your  picture  in 
chalk  on  the  blackboard  and  written  under  it,  '  My 
teacher,  I  love  her.'  The  picture,  however,  does  not 
do  you  justice." 

"  I  wish  you  had  rubbed  it  out,"  she  responded 
flushing.  "  I  don't  like  to  be  so  caricatured." 

"  I  don't  believe  the  boy  meant  it  in  that  way," 
returned  Stacy,  smiling.  "  He  was  merely  suffer- 
ing the  qualms  of  incipient  love  and  took  that  way 
of  telling  you.  I  once  went  through  the  same  agony 
myself.  And  by  the  way,"  he  added  to  change  the 
subject,  "  permit  me  to  thank  you  for  the  rare  treat 
of  your  solo  singing  in  church  this  morning.  I  did 
not  know  which  church  you  sang  in,  I  dared  not  ask 
Sam  for  fear  of  making  comment  here,  so  watched 
for  and  followed  you.  You  have  an  exquisite  voice 
of  rare  sweetness." 

"  Thank  you,"  she  answered  simply.  "  How  did 
you  like  the  sermon  ?  " 

"  Why  I  —  I  don't  believe  it  impressed  me  as  it 
should,  maybe,"  he  answered  hesitatingly ;  "  too 
much  or  too  profuse  explanation  of  old  Biblical  doc- 
trine and  why  we  must  be  sure  to  save  our  souls 
anyhow.  Too  doctrinal,  I  should  say.  What  I 
want  from  the  pulpit  is  up-to-date  sermons,  how  to 
live  rightly  to-day,  and  what  our  duties  to  one  an- 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  89 

other  are  in  this  day  and  generation.  Christianity 
and  the  church  are  doing  a  great  and  noble  work 
and  making  humanity  better,  more  charitable,  more 
conscientious,  and  the  world  more  fit  to  live  in  day 
by  day.  But  the  church  needs  broader  and  more 
forceful  preachers.  Men  who  can  thrill  a  congrega- 
tion, inspire  them  to  rise  above  personal  selfishness 
week  days,  teach  them  that  doing  good  to-day  is  to 
improve  the  to-morrow  of  our  race,  shame  them  out 
of  their  indifference,  and  that  to  live  the  Golden 
Rule  to-day  is  far  better  than  to  worry  whether 
their  souls  will  be  saved  to-morrow.  Then,  to  my 
mind,  the  long-drawn-out  argument  of  personal  sal- 
vation is  solely  an  appeal  to  our  selfish  natures  and 
of  no  benefit  to  us." 

"  'N'  I  agree  with  ye,"  interjected  Uncle  Asa 
promptly.  "  Grace  o'  God  is  skeerce  in  this  world, 
'n'  doin'  ez  ye'd  be  done  by  skeercer  still,  'n'  'tain't 
helpin'  matters  to  spend  time  tellin'  folks  a  front 
seat  'n'  a  harp  is  all  they  need  to  live  fer.  I've  allus 
figgered  a  good  deed  is  the  best  sort  o'  prayer,  'n' 
counts  most.  It  may  not  'feet  the  scoffers,  they'll 
say  ye  hev  an  ax  ter  grind  anyway,  but  it'll  'feet 
now  'n'  then  one,  mebbe.  Leastwise,  I  allus  feel 
more  contented  arter  I've  done  somebody  a  good 
turn,  'n'  the  birds'  singin'  allus  sounds  a  leetle 
sweeter." 


90  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

"  You  ought  to  occupy  our  pulpit  one  Sunday, 
Mr.  Whipple,"  interposed  Hazel  in  tones  that  Stacy 
imagined  held  a  note  of  sarcasm.  "  You  certainly 
would  enlist  more  attention  than  our  minister." 

"  Why,  I  gave  him  attention  enough,"  rejoined 
Stacy  curtly,  "  and  if  he  failed  to  interest  me  it 
wasn't  my  fault,  was  it  ?  " 

"  No,"  she  answered  as  spiritedly,  "  but  I  as- 
sume that  you  listened  solely  to  criticise,  not  to  be 
improved.  Anyone  can  criticise  and  sneer,  it's  the 
easiest  thing  to  do,  but  to  be  charitable  and  read  the 
good  intention  beyond  words  is  quite  another 
matter." 

And  then  Stacy  felt  as  if  he  had  disturbed  a  hor- 
net's nest. 

"  I  admit  your  assertion,"  he  responded  suavely. 
"  It  is  far  easier  to  criticise  than  originate,  or  even 
be  charitable.  But  you  asked  my  opinion  of  the  ser- 
mon; I  assumed  you  wished  an  honest  one.  Or  — 
is  it  as  a  noted  cynic  once  asserted  — '  folly  to  tell 
ladies  the  truth,  they  prefer  lies  so  long  as  they  be 
sweets '  ?  " 

There  was  a  glint  in  Hazel's  eyes  at  this  which 
he  failed  to  see,  but  her  answer  came  sweet  as  the 
murmuring  brook.  "  Oh,  yes,  we  do  prefer  lies  and 
always  have  preferred  them  from  force  of  habit," 
she  answered  suavely,  "  since  about  all  we  ever  hear 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  91 

from  the  lords  of  creation  is  some  fairy  tale.  I,  for 
one,  expect  nothing  else,  and  quite  enjoy  the  stories 
that  men  make  up  —  so  long  as  I  don't  believe 
them." 

"  You  two'll  git  pullin'  hair  if  ye  keep  on,"  inter- 
jected Uncle  Asa,  "  'n'  'tain't  nat'ral.  I  never  knew 
but  one  man  who  allus  argered  with  a  woman,  'n' 
he  had  to  cook  his  own  vittles  finally,  'n'  the  only 
one  who  went  with  him  when  plantin'  time  come 
was  the  hearse  driver,  'n'  he  wa'n't  a  mourner." 

Then  Stacy  laughed  heartily  and  so  the  sharp- 
shooting  ended. 

"  I  will  admit  that  you  have  the  better  of  the 
argument,  Miss  Webster,"  asserted  Stacy  after  this, 
"  but  as  music  will  soothe  the  savage  breast,  which 
means  mine  just  now,  won't  you  favor  me  with  your 
auto-harp  once  more?  As  I  leave  in  the  morning 
and  can't  say  when  I'll  visit  Oakdale  again,  if  ever, 
I'd  like  to  carry  away  a  pleasant  memory." 

"  And  won't  you  without  that  ?  "  she  inquired 
pleasantly.  "  I  certainly  didn't  mean  to  hurt  your 
feelings." 

"  I  am  sure  you  didn't,"  he  returned  earnestly, 
"  and  I  enjoy  a  verbal  tilt  —  always.  But  this 
porch,  the  surroundings  and  yourself  here,  seem  so 
like  a  sequestered  nook  in  a  better  world,  I'd  like  to 
complete  the  illusion  that  way." 


92  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

"  I  thought  you  were  to  stay  a  week  or  more  " — 
inquiringly — "  it's  only  been  four  days?  " 

"  Five,  to  be  exact,  since  I  first  heard  your  spirit 
music  whispering  through  the  pines." 

And  just  now,  in  spite  of  his  intention  of  repay- 
ing Hazel  in  kind  for  her  cool  demeanor,  Stacy 
wished  Uncle  Asa  —  good  soul  —  would  go  to  bed. 

But  the  evening  was  waning,  and  recognizing  this, 
perhaps,  as  well  as  her  callous  mood,  Hazel  now 
brought  out  her  auto-harp  once  more,  and  for  a 
witching  half -hour  its  tinkling  melody  vibrated 
through  the  moonlit  maples,  .then  Stacy  arose. 

"  I  thank  you,  Miss  Webster,  and  you,  Uncle  Asa, 
for  what  has  made  my  Oakdale  visit  a  red-letter  one 
in  my  calendar,"  he  said  earnestly,  and  offering 
his  hand,  first  to  Uncle  Asa,  then  to  Hazel,  "  and 
now  good-bye." 

And  recalling  that  evening  almost  hourly  for 
many  days  afterwards,  its  piquant  charm,  Hazel's 
perfect  poise  and  repartee,  her  exquisite  voice  in 
church,  the  brook-like  tinkle  of  her  auto-harp,  and 
the  witchery  of  Maple  Dell,  each  and  all  many  times, 
their  charm  kept  growing  upon  him  until  they 
seemed  a  glimpse  into  another  and  better  world. 
|  "  I'm  going  to  call  it  Hazel  Dell,"  he  would  say 
to  himself  when  this  mood  was  on,  "  for  she  is  of 
it  and  akin  to  it  in  purity  and  sweetness." 


CHAPTER  VIII 

STACY  had  expected  that  two  days  would  suf- 
fice for  his  visit  to  Barre  and  the  closing  of 
contracts,  but  the  preliminary  haggling  over 
terms,  payments,  etc.,  with  the  committee  of  five  of 
the  city's  councilmen,  consumed  time,  during  which 
several  things  happened,  and  one  disclosure  came  of 
peculiar  interest  which  must  be  recorded. 

The  first  of  these  happenings  was  the  introduction 
to  him  by  the  chairman  of  the  committee  in  the  hotel 
office  the  third  evening  of  his  stay  in  Barre  of  a 
dapper  little  person  by  the  name  of  Leon  Otero, 
who  informed  him  that  he  had  heard  of  the  city's 
plans  for  obtaining  power  from  Oakdale,  that  he 
was  agent  for  the  supplying  of  emigrant  labor  on 
such  work  as  Stacy  had  in  hand,  and  was  here  for 
that  purpose.  He  gave  Stacy  his  card  bearing  a 
New  York  address,  and  politely  requested  that  he 
might  supply  whatever  laborers  Stacy  might  need. 

"  We  shall  want  a  hundred  or  more  of  them," 
Stacy  assured  him  in  response,  "  and  I  will  keep 
your  card  and  correspond  with  you  as  soon  as  we 
are  ready  to  go  ahead." 

93 


94  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

"  You  haf  your  site  for  ze  dem  selected  and  ze 
land  secured,  haf  you  not?  "inquired  Otero  in  for- 
eign accent.  "  There  are  two,  ze  committee  tell  me, 
can  be  used  for  ze  dam?  " 

"  Why,  yes,  three  in  fact,"  returned  Stacy,  now 
on  guard. 

"  But  you,  sir,  must  have  decided  which  one  is 
ze  best,"  persisted  Otero.  "  If  you  haf  not  and 
you  wish  me,  I  would  advise.  Ef  you  hire  of  me 
ze  men  I  must  go  before  and  haf  house  put  up  for 
zem  to  live  in." 

"  I  shall  make  no  decision  without  further  con- 
sultation with  my  partner,"  responded  Stacy  firmly, 
"  and  after  that  you  may  hear  from  me,"  and  so 
closed  the  interview. 

Later,  and  after  writing  full  details  of  proceed- 
ings so  far  to  Colby,  he  began  to  give  this  Otero  and 
his  proposals  some  thought. 

"  Curious,  and  I  can't  quite  line  up  that  fellow 
and  his  intentions,"  he  muttered  to  himself,  loung- 
ing in  one  corner  of  the  hotel  office  in  an  easy  chair, 
and  lighting  a  fresh  cigar.  "  He  seems  anxious  to 
find  out  what's  none  of  his  business,  and  where  have 
I  seen  that  face  ?  " 

And  then  backward  through  the  pages  of  his 
memory  Stacy  started  to  find  this  Otero's  peculiar 
face,  sinister  and  shifty  black  eyes  and  little  black- 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  95 

pointed  mustache!  Somewhere  he  was  positive, 
but  where?  Then  he  drew  forth  his  card  inscribed 
"Leon  Otero,  Emigrant  Agent,  441  West  23rd 
Street,  New  York,"  and  read  it  again  as  if  therein 
lay  a  clue.  In  vain,  for  this  fellow's  face,  either 
Spanish  or  Mexican,  he  was  positive,  still  eluded 
him.  After  a  half-hour  of  this  vexatious  pursuit 
of  a  face,  he  telephoned  Davis,  chairman  of  the 
committee  he  was  negotiating  with,  for  informa- 
tion regarding  this  fellow.  The  answer  was  vague 
and  also  suspicious,  inasmuch  as  it  appeared  that 
this  Otero  had  presented  himself  to  Barre's  commit- 
tee a  few  days  previous  to  Stacy's  arrival,  and  pos- 
sessed the  information  that  these  negotiations  were 
in  progress  and  that  Oakdale  had  been  selected  as 
site  for  the  intended  power  supply.  The  source  of 
this  information  was  not  forthcoming,  however. 

"  It  must  be  in  the  air,"  Davis  asserted  to  Stacy 
after  this  explanation.  "  He  came  to  me  with  the 
assurance  that  he  had  been  informed  of  our  inten- 
tion and  was  anxious  to  secure  the  contract  for 
laborers,  which  seemed  plausible.  I  told  him  you 
were  the  one  to  apply  to,  and  were  expected  here  in 
a  few  days,  and  he  has  been  waiting  for  you.  There 
is  another  man  with  him,  stranger  here  also,  an  older 
man  —  red  face,  white  side-whiskers.  They  are 
stopping  at  another  hotel  than  yours,  I  believe." 


96  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

It  wasn't  much  information,  but  some,  and  cer- 
tainly mysterious  for  the  reason  that  this  Otero  had 
obtained  facts  which  Stacy  had  hitherto  supposed 
were  known  only  to  his  firm  and  Barre's  committee. 

"  There  is  something  queer  about  this,"  Stacy 
muttered,  hanging  up  the  receiver,  and  then  this 
Otero's  persistent  anxiety  to  obtain  'the  location  of 
the  intended  reservoir  struck  him  as  peculiar  and 
uncalled  for. 

"  He'll  find  out  nothing !  "  Stacy  muttered  again, 
and  then  began  to  wonder  who  this  other  stranger 
was,  and  what  possible  connection  he  had  with 
Otero's  mission  here. 

The  next  morning,  and  while  strolling  along  the 
limited  water  front  of  Barre,  whom  should  he  meet 
but  this  Otero  again,  and  with  him  a  rather  flashily- 
attired  gentleman  with  luxuriant  white  side-whisk- 
fers,  whose  flushed  face  and  rotund  stomach,  across 
which  lay  a  massive  gold  watch  chain,  betokened 
prosperity,  at  least.  "  This  ees  my  friend,  Mr. 
Curtis,"  Otero  said,  thus  introducing  him  after 
formally  greeting  Stacy.  "  He  ees  here  on  pleasure 
himself,  it  ees." 

"  Just  looking  this  country  over  for  a  few  days," 
explained  Curtis  airily,  "  and  to  keep  an  eye  on  my 
friend,  Otero." 

"  I  shall  hope  you  will  haf  your  beesness  con- 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  97 

eluded,  Mr.  Whipple,"  added  Otero,  "  and  I  can  ob- 
tain your  order  for  ze  men  you  will  need  before  you 
leaf.  Shall  you  go  again  to  Oakdale  before  to 
Albion?" 

"  I  don't  expect  to,"  responded  Stacy  curtly.  "  I 
shall,  however,  write  you  in  New  York  as  soon  as 
we  decide  when  we  shall  begin  operations."  And 
then  the  two  passed  on. 

"  It's  he,  by  Jove,  it's  he ! "  exclaimed  Stacy  five 
minutes  later,  after  these  two  had  passed  beyond  ear- 
shot, "  and  the  identical  man  who  swindled  Uncle 
Asa!" 

Then  back  to  a  little  smoke-dimmed  gambling  den 
in  a  Nevada  mining  camp  he  flew  in  thought,  and  to 
the  two  pals  he  had  seen  swapping  cards  there! 

But  the  name,  Curtis,  in  place  of  North,  the 
sharper  who  had  invaded  Oakdale,  and  the  reason 
thereof  combined  to  form  a  new  mystery.  Piqued 
by  this  even  more  than  by  the  other  one,  he  now 
turned  upward  from  the  water  front  and  hastened 
to  the  only  other  reputable  hotel  in  Barre  to  look 
on  its  register.  That  yielded  a  clue,  for  turning 
its  pages  a  week  back,  there  in  bold  flowing  hand 
was  the  name  "  Pentecost  Curtis  "  from  New  York, 
above  that  of  Otero! 

Then  Stacy  gave  vent  to  a  low  whistle. 

"  '  Some  snakes  mit  de  grass,'  as  Old  Rip  said," 


98  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

he  thought,  turning  away,  and  hurried  back  to  his 
own  hotel  to  await  ten  o'clock,  when  he  was  to  meet 
with  the  committee  again.  Here,  while  he  was 
cogitating  upon  these  two  peculiar  and  pertinent  dis- 
closures :  Otero,  the  ostensibly  innocent  contract 
labor  agent  and  former  pal  of  the  sharper  who 
swindled  Uncle  Asa,  now  seemingly  anxious  to  find 
out  where  his  firm  were  to  build  their  dam;  that 
same  swindler,  Curtis  North,  registered  as  Pente- 
cost Curtis,  now  with  him  —  well,  to  Stacy,  a  keen- 
witted business  man  well  used  to  the  pursuit  of  the 
elusive  dollar,  the  two  facts  and  their  coincident 
application  seemed  positive  proof  of  some  sinister 
game  afoot.  Curtis,  or  North,  as  Stacy  was  posi- 
tive that  he  was,  was  undoubtedly  well  supplied  with 
money.  Otero  was  a  pal  of  his,  both  were  as  un- 
scrupulous as  two  unhanged  swindlers  could  be,  and 
both  here  for  some  game  far  deeper  and  beyond 
the  innocent  one  of  Otero's  securing  a  contract  for 
fifty  or  one  hundred  Italians. 

But  what  was  it? 

For  a  long  half -hour  Stacy  thought  and  studied 
upon  this  occult  mind-reading  problem  without  suc- 
cess, and  then  a  light  came. 

"  I  see  it,  by  Jove,  I  see  it,"  he  exclaimed,  jump- 
ing up.  "  Curtis,  or  North,  and  maybe  neither  is 
his  right  name,  is  the  backer  with  money.  Otero  is 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  99 

the  tool  and  their  game  is  to  find  where  we  are  to 
locate  our  dam,  then  steal  a  march  on  us  by  buying 
up  the  land  and  making  us  settle !  " 

And  then  like  a  flash  of  white  light  came  another 
inspiration  and  conclusion  so  comical  that  Stacy 
laughed  outright! 

"  I  see  your  game,  Mr.  Pentecost  Curtis,"  he 
said,  shaking  with  suppressed  laughter,  "  and  I'll 
make  you  buy  Bear  Hole  Swamp  of  Uncle  Asa  and 
pay  well  for  it,  too ! " 

This  was  so  funny,  and  such  a  fine  turning  of 
the  tables,  that  he  shook  again  with  the  enjoyment 
of  it. 

He  quieted  himself  for  his  meeting  with  the  com- 
mittee, for  they  were  shrewd,  sharp  business  men, 
bent  on  driving  the  best  bargain  possible.  Stacy 
was  not  asleep,  and  after  a  two-hour  session,  he  ob- 
tained all  he  hoped  for  in  contracts  duly  witnessed, 
and  all  that  remained  was  to  secure  Rocky  Glen 
Brook  valley  of  Sam  Gates,  then  go  ahead  and  build 
his  dam,  harness  the  giant  now  laughing  there  in 
innocent  glee,  and  start  the  wheels  that  would  turn 
the  hamlet  of  Oakdale  into  a  prosperous  and  busy 
city. 

But  first  to  land  this  despicable  Curtis  North, 
and  do  it  thoroughly. 

It  was  easy,  too,  in  a  way,  the  door  wide  open, 


ioo  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

the  trap  all  set,  and  all  that  remained  was  to  bait  it. 
And  now  forewarned,  forearmed,  and  "  loaded  for 
bear,"  as  Uncle  Asa  would  say,  Stacy  sought  out 
Otero. 

"  I  have  closed  my  contracts,"  he  assured  him 
with  well-assumed  satisfaction,  now  finding  him 
alone  in  his  hotel  office,  "  and  have  a  proposition  to 
make  to  you.  The  site  I  have  decided  upon  in  Oak- 
dale  is  at  present  a  two-mile  long  by  half-mile  wide 
swamp,  which  contains  some  available  timber,  hem- 
lock and  hackmatack.  That  can  be  cut  this  com- 
ing summer,  but  as  the  swamp  is  a  quagmire,  it's 
impossible  to  haul  it  out  till  winter.  We  shall,  in 
the  meantime,  obtain  a  portable  saw-mill,  set  it  up 
below  where  the  dam  is  to  be,  and  as  soon  as  timber 
can  be  hauled  out,  begin  sawing  this  for  our  own 
use.  You  can  submit  to  me  a  proposition  for  fifty 
wood  choppers  to  go  to  work  by  August  first,  and 
as  many  more  men  suitable  for  digging  and  quarry- 
ing operations,  a  month  later,  where  the  dam  is  to 
be  built.  This  location,  I  may  say,  is  now  covered 
by  a  fine  growth  of  pine  that  must  be  cut  first. 
Make  your  specification  complete  as  to  nationality 
of  men  to  be  furnished  —  any  will  do  except  Chi- 
nese, a  foreman  for  each  class  of  men  must  be 
included  —  terms  and  time  of  payment  as  well  — 
also  a  bond  for  the  good  behavior  of  all  men  em- 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  101 

ployed.  Whoever  obtains  this  contract  must  be- 
come responsible  for  all  acts  of  thieving  by  men 
employed  —  we  won't.  This  contract  you  can  sub- 
mit to  us  within  a  month,  and  if  acceptable,  we  in 
turn  will  give  you  a  bond  for  our  fulfillment  of 
same."  And  having  thus  baited  his  long-range 
trap,  Stacy  handed  Otero  his  business  card  and 
shook  hands  with  him  cordially. 

And  that  afternoon  Stacy,  well  satisfied  with 
what  he  had  done,  took  the  last  train  for  Oakdale 
station,  ten  miles  from  that  hamlet. 


CHAPTER  IX 

IT  was  almost  sunset  when  the  old  one-horse 
carryall,  with  Stacy  as  sole  passenger,  reached 
the  hilltop  overlooking  Oakdale,  and  now  its 
peculiar  isolation,  a  village  of  perhaps  fifty  houses 
grouped  around  two  churches  with  scattering  ones 
adown  the  borders  of  the  two  enclosing  ranges  of 
mountains,  appeared  more  sequestered  than  ever. 
From  this  viewpoint  he  now  first  noticed  an  oval 
hill  back  of  the  village  with  its  serried  rows  of  white 
and  brown  tombstones,  the  gorge  to  right  of  this 
out  of  which  came  Rocky  Glen  brook,  the  V-shaped 
vista  of  the  valley  beyond,  with  its  winding  creek 
and  bordering  ocean,  while  to  left  rose  the  bare- 
topped  hill  back  of  Uncle  Asa's  home,  one  of  the 
two  barricades  beyond  which  lay  Bear  Hole  Swamp. 
And  just  then,  in  spite  of  the  charm  of  the  peace- 
ful vale  and  visions  of  the  city  that  was  to  arise 
there,  even  in  spite  of  the  piquant  little  school- 
ma'am,  whose  home-roof  Stacy  now  saw  peeping 
above  its  surrounding  maples,  it  occurred  to  him 
that  the  seldom-speaking  old  stage  driver  beside  him 

1 02 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  103 

could  be  made  to  assist  in  the  game  of  retribution 
he  was  about  to  play. 

"  You  know  that  big  swamp  back  of  Uncle  Asa's, 
don't  you?  "  he  said,  now  addressing  him.  "  Well, 
there  is  a  possibility  you  may  sometime  see  that 
occupied  by  a  big  reservoir  and  below  it  a  power 
house  to  produce  electric  light  for  Barre.  If  this 
comes  about,  and  it  may  some  day,  there  will  be 
shops  and  factories  built  below  that,  alongside  the 
valley,  a  trolley  line  to  your  railroad  station,  your 
village  will  have  electric  light,  and  then  you  won't 
have  to  drive  this  stage  any  more." 

"  Yew  don't  say  so !  "  gasped  the  old  man  known 
as  "  Uncle  Levi  "  who  had  been  the  connecting  link 
between  Oakdale  village  and  station  for  twenty 
years.  "Why,  who's  goin'  to  do  it,  'n'  when?" 

"  I  won't  say  who  or  when,"  returned  Stacy  mys- 
teriously, "  only  that  it  may  come  about  —  in  time 
—  that  is  all." 

"  Wai,  that  openin'  back  o'  Uncle  Asa's  strikes 
me  ez  a  handy  spot  fer  a  dam,"  responded  Uncle 
Levi,  now  recovering  himself.  "Wai,  wal,  'n'  so 
thar's  one  goin'  up  thar,  eh?  You  s'prise  me! 
Who's  goin'  to  dew  it?  " 

"  I  didn't  say  anybody  was  —  not  yet,"  asserted 
Stacy  in  a  you-mustn't-tell  tone.  "  I  only  hint  this 


104  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

to  you  in  confidence  for  I've  —  well,  the  land  hasn't 
been  bought  yet  and  —  you  understand  —  keep 
quiet  about  it." 

And  he  did,  so  quiet  that  not  twenty- four  hours 
elapsed  before  every  man,  woman,  and  child  in  Oak- 
dale  knew  all  about  it,  as  Stacy  intended  that  they 
should. 

That  evening  also,  or  immediately  after  supper, 
he  held  another  pertinent  interview  with  Samuel 
Gates,  Esq.,  landlord  of  the  Oakdale  House,  that 
must  be  recorded. 

"  Do  you  know,  Sam,"  he  said  to  him  in  the  in- 
different way,  typical  of  his  business  methods,  when 
the  chance  came,  "that  I've  —  well,  I've  half  a 
mind  to  make  you  an  offer  for  that  Rocky  Glen 
Gorge  you  own;  just  to  have  a  trout  brook  I  could 
call  my  own?  I  wouldn't  pay  much  for  it;  it's  only 
a  whim  of  mine,  you  know." 

"  Wai,  ye  kin  fish  it,  I  s'pose,  any  time  ye  want 
to,"  drawled  Sam,  glancing  curiously  at  him. 
"  The  brook's  thar,  V  you're  welcome." 

"  Yes,  I  know  'tis,"  responded  Stacy  in  the  same 
tone,  "  only  if  I  owned  it  I  could  post  it,  and  so 
keep  away  other  fishermen.  I  am  not  particular. 
Would  you  be  willing  to  lease  it  to  me  for  that  pur- 
pose for,  say,  ten  years,  and  for  how  much  ?  " 


I'VE    HALF    A    MIND   TO   MAKE    YOU   AN   OFFER   FOK   THAT 

ROCKY  GLEN  GORGE.'' — Page  104. 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  105 

"  Why,  I  dunno,"  returned  Sam  slowly,  "  how 
much  'ud  ye  give  ?  " 

"  Oh,  maybe  ten  dollars  a  year,"  admitted  Stacy 
indifferently,  "  just  to  make  the  matter  binding. 
As  you  say,  I  know  I  am  welcome  to  fish  it  —  or 
Bear  Hole  Swamp  brook  any  time  I  come  here," 
and  he  laughed. 

"  That's  so,  sure,"  responded  Sam,  also  joining 
in  the  laugh,  "  but  —  wal,  make  me  an  offer  on  the 
gorge  brook  land,  'n'  I'll  think  it  over." 

"  No,  you  set  a  price  and  I'll  think  it  over.  I 
am  not  anxious  about  buying  it  either.  I  just 
stopped  off  here  for  another  day's  fishing  and  shall 
leave  to-morrow  evening.  I  must  get  back  to  the 
city  by  the  next  day  night."  Then,  and  as  if  the 
matter  were  of  small  concern,  he  picked  up  a  paper 
and  began  reading. 

Not  so  with  Sam,  however.  He,  while  shrewdly 
desiring  to  drive  good  bargains,  considered  this 
brook  gorge,  now  stripped  of  its  timber,  as  abso- 
lutely worthless,  and  anything  received  from  it  as 
so  much  gained. 

"  I  dunno  but  I'd  set  a  price  on  that  'ere  brook 
gorge,"  he  admitted  finally  after  a  long  ten  minutes 
of  silence.  "  Thar's  'bout  two  hundred  acres  on't 
up  to  the  top  o'  the  pitch,  'n'  a  little  scrub  timber 


io6  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

that's  wuth  suthin.  How'd  six  hundred  strike 
ye?" 

"  Wai,"  drawled  Stacy  in  exact  imitation  of  Sam, 
"  that's  pretty  stiff,  all  things  considered.  Does 
that  include  all  the  land  down  to  the  road  ?  " 

"  Yas,  'n'  some  back  on  top  o'  the  ridges,  the  hull 
piece  is  'most  a  mile  long." 

For  fully  five  minutes  Stacy  sat  in  contemplative 
silence,  not  to  seem  anxious,  then  spoke. 

"  I'll  take  it,  Sam,"  he  said  finally,  "  and  as  I 
shall  start  fishing  early  in  the  morning,  let  us  go 
over  to  your  village  Mogul,  Squire  Phinney,  now, 
and  have  a  deed  filled  out.  If  I  sleep  on  it  I  shall 
most  likely  change  my  mind." 

And  thus  did  Stacy  Whipple  obtain  possession  of 
a  piece  of  land  that  eventually  became  worth  a  thou- 
sand dollars  for  each  one  paid  for  it ! 

"  One  thing  I  must  insist  on,"  Stacy  said  after 
the  deed  was  duly  signed  and  witnessed,  and  he  had 
given  Sam  six  crisp  one-hundred  dollar  bills  for  it 
—  he  had  brought  four  times  that  sum  with  him  — 
"  and  that  is,  you  must  keep  still  about  this  transac- 
tion. There  is  a  big  deal  on  foot  to  buy  Bear  Hole 
Swamp  for  a  reservoir  and  power  house  later  on; 
I  shall  probably  have  charge  of  the  work  and  may 
have  to  board  with  you  for  a  year  or  two.  You 
will  hear  about  it  in  the  near  future,  but  keep  still, 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  107 

or  the  deal  may  all  fall  through.  This  must  abso- 
lutely be  kept  in  strict  confidence." 

And  having  thus  secured  what  he  needed,  and  at 
the  same  time  baited  a  trap  for  Curtis  North,  alias 
Pentecost  Curtis,  Stacy  retired  to  a  well-earned 
sleep. 

He  was  up  early  next  morning,  and  after  a  pre- 
viously-ordered breakfast,  betook  himself  to  the 
home  of  Uncle  Asa. 

And  now  after  a  week's  absence  and  many  vivid 
recollections  of  her  sweet  face  and  dainty  form, 
first  seen  under  the  big  pine,  her  modest  self- 
possession  and  perfect  poise,  her  keen  wit  and 
ability  to  cope  with  him  on  any  subject,  and  best  of 
all  her  tender  devotion  to  her  father  —  the  nearer 
he  came  to  her  moss-coated  old  rookery  of  a  home, 
the  more  he  felt  like  a  bashful  schoolboy  making 
first  call  on  a  sweetheart.  He  also  realized  how 
rare  and  charming  a  maid,  fit  to  grace  a  palace,  was 
hid  in  this  byway  nook  — "  Hazel  Dell,"  as  he  kept 
thinking  of  it. 

Its  utter  seclusion  at  the  end  of  a  grass-grown 
lane  out  of  sight  of  the  main  highway  seemed  sug- 
gestive of  her  perfect  purity;  as  the  flower-filled 
dooryard  and  lilac  and  syringa-hidden  house  did  of 
her  sweetness  as  he  drew  near  it;  and  despite  his 
years  of  contact  with  the  world,  his  heart  thumped 


io8  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

unduly  when  he  lifted  the  iron  knocker  on  the  closed 
front  door. 

Much  to  his  disgust,  Martha  answered  it,  greeted 
him  with  clumsy  obsequiousness  and  invited  him  in. 

"  Uncle  Asa's  gone  down  the  crick,"  she  asserted 
in  answer  to  his  inquiry,  "  'n'  Hazel's  over  to  Mollie 
Bascom's  for  the  day.  She's  got  a  cousin  visitin' 
from  Barre,  'n'  they've  a  sorter  lawn  party  goin' 
on  this  arternoon. 

"  I  s'pose  they'd  be  glad  to  hev  you  jine  'em," 
she  added,  "  'n'  ez  ye've  met  the  Bascom  gal,  it's  all 
right." 

"  I  should  be  more  than  glad  to  do  so,"  returned 
Stacy,  smiling  at  her  idea  of  propriety,  "  but  my 
errand  here  is  to  see  Uncle  Asa.  Where  can,  or 
how  can  I  find  him  ?  I  had  planned  to  go  away  this 
afternoon." 

"  Why,  ye  kin  take  his  small  boat  'n'  go  down  the 
crick,  if  ye  can't  wait,"  she  answered,  eyeing  him 
curiously.  "  No,  I  guess  he  took  that,"  she  added, 
"  'n'  you'll  hev  to  take  the  big  dory."  And  Stacy, 
departing  much  chagrined  at  this  ill  luck,  wondered 
if  this  Bascom  girl's  cousin  from  Barre  were  of  the 
masculine  persuasion,  felt  sure  that  it  must  be,  and 
was  vexed  accordingly.  He  was  nothing  to  Hazel 
so  far,  as  he  fully  realized,  yet  she  was  enough  to 
him  already  so  that  if  this  comer  from  Barre  were 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  109 

a  fellow,  he  wished  that  he  would  keep  away  from 
Oakdale.  Oakdale  swains  were  evidently  not  to  be 
feared,  but  a  young  man  from  Barre,  where  Hazel 
had  spent  a  winter  in  social  gaiety,  might  prove  a 
I  dangerous  rival. 

Uncle  Asa's  big  dory  was  soon  found  to  be  out  of 
water  beside  his  small  wharf.  Stacy  had  a  muddy 
experience  in  launching  it  under  the  hot  sun,  and 
by  the  time  he  started  down  stream  on  the  last  of 
the  tide,  his  temper  and  raiment  were  both  badly 
frayed. 

And  meantime  the  imagined  face  of  the  fellow 
from  Barre  kept  intruding ! 

He  reached  the  open  water  of  the  cove  after  two 
hours  of  misery,  pulled  up  to  the  little  old  wharf, 
and  soon,  to  his  joy,  saw  Uncle  Asa  doubled  over 
and  digging  clams  on  the  bare  flats  outside. 

"  I'm  glad  to  see  ye,  mighty  glad,"  that  worthy 
exclaimed,  looking  up  as  Stacy  drew  near  and 
smiling  benignly,  "  but  what  fetched  ye  back  so 
soon,  good  news  ?  " 

"  Yes,  decidedly  so  for  you  if  all  goes  as  I  plan," 
answered  Stacy  positively.  "  Come  up  to  where 
the  table  is  and  I'll  tell  you  the  story." 

Once  seated  there  in  shade  more  than  consoling 
to  Stacy,  with  the  cooling  sea  breeze  blowing  in,  he 
began  his  story,  fully  resolved  to  keep  nothing  back 


no  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

from  Uncle  Asa,  but  to  trust  him  fully,  as  he  now 
did.  He  started  at  the  beginning,  too;  telling  of 
his  mission  to  Oakdale,  the  reason  for  it,  and  what 
he  had  decided  upon,  next  of  his  return  to  Barre 
with  the  outcome  of  the  contract  with  that  city's 
committee,  and,  most  pertinent  of  all,  of  his  meet- 
ing with  Pentecost  Curtis  and  the  latter's  tool, 
Otero,  and  of  his  almost  certainty  of  the  game  they 
intended  to  play,  with  explanation  of  the  trap  set 
for  them.  And  the  face  of  Uncle  Asa  was  a  study 
while  this  recital  was  in  progress,  for  his  mouth 
was  wide  open,  now  and  then  he  gasped  for  breath, 
and  when  Stacy  paused,  he  jumped  up,  yelled 
"  Hooray,  Good  Lord,  hooray ! "  in  tones  that 
echoed  across  the  wide  cove,  then  grabbed  both  of 
Stacy's  hands  in  his,  and  nearly  pulled  Stacy's  arms 
out  of  their  sockets. 

"  I'd  kiss  ye  if  ye  wuz  a  woman,  I  swar  I  would !  " 
he  next  exclaimed,  now  dancing  up  and  down. 
"  But  I  can't  believe  all  you're  tellin' !  Good  Lord, 
it's  too  good  to  be  true!  Ef  it  turns  out  so,  it's 
Kingdom-Come  fer  me,  sure's  a  gun!  'N'  Hazel, 
say  Hazel — "  And  overcome  by  the  ecstasy  of  his 
joy  Uncle  Asa  choked,  sat  down  and  covered  his 
face  with  muddy  hands  while  he  shook  with  sup- 
pressed emotion. 

And  it  was  many  moons  ere  Stacy  forgot  even 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  in 

one  iota  of  that  mingling  of  humor  and  pathos  in 
Uncle  Asa's  words. 

"  We  must  be  slow  and  cautious  in  playing  this 
game,"  Stacy  now  assured  him  in  business  tone. 
"  We  are  up  against  two  sharpers,  keen  as  the  devil, 
and  as  occult.  This  Otero,  the  tool,  will  come  here 
in  the  near  future  —  Curtis  North  never  will  — 
Otero  will  make  a  lot  of  sly  inquiries,  then  call 
on  you,  make  a  few  more,  and  maybe  go  away  to 
consult  with  his  backer  and  prime  mover  in  this 
game.  He  will  appear  again  and  either  make  you 
a  flat  offer  at  a  nominal  figure  for  Bear  Hole 
Swamp  or  try  to  secure  an  option  on  it.  And  here 
is  where  you  come  in!  You  must  now  assert  that 
you  already  have  an  offer  for  the  property  by  par- 
ties whose  names,  location,  or  intentions  you  have 
no  knowledge  of.  Be  as  cocky  and  independent  as 
a  well-fed  bulldog,  and  say  positively  you  won't 
set  any  price  on  the  swamp.  Otero  will  then  begin 
to  bid  up,  and  how  high  he  will  go  all  depends  on 
your  nerve,  self-possession,  and  strength  of  assur- 
ance that  you  won't  accept  any  offer.  When  he 
gets  up  to,  say,  six  or  seven  thousand  dollars,  then 
begin  to  weaken  in  your  refusals,  and  finally  admit 
that  for  cash  down  —  not  even  a  certified  check  — 
you  will  accept  an  even  ten  thousand  dollars  for 
your  property.  He  will  then  offer  you  a  split  price, 


ii2  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

perhaps  eight,  perhaps  nine  thousand.  You  must 
next  come  the  scornful  act  and  say,  '  Before  I  dis- 
cuss this  matter  further,  show  me  the  coin.'  He 
may  go  away  again,  he  may  not,  most  likely  he  will 
have  the  cash  with  him,  but  —  get  hold  of  the 
money  before  you  give  him  even  a  scrap  of  paper, 
for  you  are  dealing  with  a  keen-witted  thief.  And 
once  you  get  the  money,  hide  it  where  no  other 
human  being  can  find  it;  then  drive  over  to  Barre 
—  don't  go  by  rail  —  and  deposit  your  money  in 
the  best  bank." 

"  Why,  this  feller  must  be  a  reg'lar  highway- 
man!" gasped  Uncle  Asa  after  this  elaborate  plan 
of  action.  "  You  figger  he'd  hold  me  up  'tween 
here  'n'  Barre!" 

"  He  would,  as  sure's  you're  born,  in  disguise  of 
course,"  responded  Stacy,  smiling  at  Uncle  Asa's 
concern,  and  then  he  related  what  he  had  seen  this 
Otero  doing  in  the  mining-camp  gambling  den. 
"  Both  of  those  fellows  are  despicable  thieves,"  he 
added,  "  and  would  not  hesitate  at  murder  if  need 
be. 

"  I  am  going  to  Nevada  in  a  week  or  two,"  he 
continued,  "  and  shall  look  this  Rawhide  swindle 
up,  and  perhaps  obtain  some  evidence  to  give  these 
sharpers  a  good  scare  anyhow.'  Enough  to  keep 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  113 

them  away  from  this  vicinity  at  least.  They  are 
too  cunning  to  be  caught  red-handed  and  landed  in 
jail,  I'm  sure." 

And  now  after  this  plan  of  action  was  mapped 
out,  Uncle  Asa  began  to  ponder. 

"  I  wish  you  wuz  goin'  ter  be  here  'n'  do  this 
business,"  he  ejaculated  with  a  sigh  after  a  long 
pause.  "  It's  askin'  a  good  deal,  Mr.  Whipple, 
you've  already  done  more  fer  me  'n'  any  man  ever 
did,  but  —  I  don't  feel  I'm  smart  'nuff  to  dicker 
with  sich  a  dern  scamp.  'N'  it's  Hazel's  money, 
too,  if  I  get  it  back  out  o'  that  wuthless  swamp,  'n' 

—  Good  Lord,  the  chance  seems  like  the  hull  o'  my 
life!" 

"  I  wish  I  could,  Uncle  Asa,"  Stacy  returned 
earnestly,  "  and  I  assure  you  that  I'd  gladly  do  it  if 
possible.  I'd  —  I'd  go  a  long  way  to  do  you  a 
good  turn,  and  repeat  the  trip  for  Hazel.  She  is 

—  is  the  sweetest  little  lady  I  ever  saw,  bless  her 
big  eyes." 

Then  Uncle  Asa  looked  up  at  Stacy  curiously. 
"  Say,  Mr.  Whipple,"  he  queried,  "  kin  I  tell  Hazel 
now  what  you've  done,  'n'  are  doin'  ?  " 

"  No,  positively  no,"  vehemently,  "  until  the  af- 
fair is  all  over  and  this  swindler  landed  or  not! 
Then  you  may." 


114  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

And  just  now  he  wished  more  than  for  anything 
else  in  his  life  before,  that  if  all  worked  out  as 
he  hoped,  he  might  be  an  unobserved  witness  of 
Hazel's  face,  when  her  father  informed  her  of  the 
outcome. 


CHAPTER  X 

MANY  of  us  do   kindly  acts,   a  few  do 
unselfish  ones,  but  not  one  in  a  million 
ever  does  a  heroic  one  without  hope  of 
reward. 

In  Stacy's  case,  what  he  had  so  far  done  was 
solely  from  good  will  and  wish  to  help  a  kindly  old 
man  who  had,  metaphorically  speaking,  opened  his 
arms  to  him  on  sight.  Just  an  ebullition  of  gen- 
erosity in  the  heart  of  a  man  grown  cynical  and 
hard  by  contact  with  a  heartless  and  selfish  world. 
His  own  father  —  much  the  same  kind  of  man,  as 
Stacy  recalled  him  —  also  played  a  part  in  this 
generous  impulse,  and  woven  into  it,  also,  was 
Hazel's  face.  Stacy  desired  no  reward  from  her 
except  the  indirect  one  of  repaying  her  coolness  — 
almost  scorn  —  by  an  act  of  unselfish  interest  in  her 
father's  welfare.  He  also  had  a  lurking  suspicion 
of  the  real  cause  of  her  chilly  demeanor;  that  she 
distrusted  him  or  imagined  his  real  errand  here  was 
a  sinister  one,  and  his  interest  in  her  father  similar 
to  that  of  the  swindler,  North,  and  finally  to  in- 
veigle him  into  some  financial  scheme.  There  must 


n6  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

be  some  reason  for  her  apparent  distrust;  this 
seemed  the  most  plausible  one. 

And  now  after  this  heart-to-heart  exchange  with 
Uncle  Asa,  in  the  tiny  grove  overlooking  that  lone 
sea  beach,  it  occurred  to  Stacy  that  time  was  flying, 
and  if  he  caught  the  late  afternoon  train  it  was  time 
to  be  starting. 

"  I've  got  to  catch  the  six-thirty  train  west,"  hp 
now  said  to  Uncle  Asa,  consulting  his  watch,  "  and 
must  be  going.  I've  told  you  all  I  can  regarding 
this  plan  of  mine,  and  all  I  can  add  is,  Keep  quiet, 
don't  confide  a  word  of  it  —  not  even  to  Hazel,  and 
when  this  Otero  shows  up  —  as  I  am  sure  he  will 
—  drive  a  good  bargain  with  him." 

"  It's  a  case  o'  *  Do  unto  the  other  feller  ez  he'd 
do  unto  you,  only  do  it  fust,'  I  cal'late,"  returned 
Uncle  Asa,  chuckling.  "  Only  I  wisht  you  was  the 
one  to  do  it.  You've  fergot  more'n  I  ever  knew 
'bout  handlin'  sich  swindlers. 

"  We  must  hev  suthin  to  eat  'fore  we  start  back," 
he  continued,  glancing  at  the  sun.  "  I've  got  a 
coffee  pot  'n'  briler  in  my  boat,  'n'  a  little  lunch. 
I'll  jist  make  some  coffee  'n'  brile  a  couple  o'  lobs, 
'n'  then  I'll  pull  ye  up  the  crick  in  my  small  boat. 
I  wish  ye  cud  stop  over  'nother  night  with  us  ?  "  he 
added  pleadingly.  "  I'd  be  proud  to  hev  ye  'n' 
Hazel  —  say,  Mr.  Whipple,  can't  I  jist  gin  her  a 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  117 

hint  o'  what's  in  the  wind  so  she  kin  'predate  ye 
ez  she  ought?  That  gal's  clus-mouthed,  'n'  got 
more  sense  in  a  minnit  than  I've  got  in  a  month,  if 
she  is  my  darter." 

"  No,  I  thank  you  for  the  invitation,  Uncle  Asa," 
responded  Stacy  earnestly,  "  but  you  must  not  con- 
fide my  real  errand  here  to  her.  Positively,  you 
must  not  now."  Then  he  —  reading  Uncle  Asa's 
wish  and  thoughts  as  easily  as  a  child's  —  added 
another  heart-confidence  that  made  the  old  man 
gasp. 

"  Uncle  Asa,"  he  said  slowly  and  as  uttering  a 
prayer,  "  I  have  said  to  myself  for  many  years  — 
I  am  thirty  now  —  that  I  would  never  marry,  and 
yet  during  the  ten  days  since  I  first  saw  your  daugh- 
ter under  the  pine  tree,  and  from  my  reading  of 
her  mind  and  character,  if  she  were  to  give  me  the 
slightest  encouragement  now,  I  just  couldn't  help 
asking  her  to  become  my  wife.  She  won't,  how- 
ever. She  either  doesn't  like  me,  or  distrusts  me, 
and  that  is  my  inmost  reason  for  refusing  to  let 
you  confide  my  errand  here  to  her.  It  would  make 
her  feel  obligated  to  me,  and  I  wouldn't  accept  even 
a  smile  from  her  won  that  way.  Now  you  have  my 
measure ! " 

Then  once  more  Uncle  Asa  extended  his  hand, 
swallowed  a  lump,  and  turned  his  face  away. 


n8  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

"  Mr.  Whipple,"  he  answered  with  a  tremor, 
"  you've  teched  my  heart  ez  nothin'  ever  teched  it 
since  my  wife  died.  Ef  I  kin  bring  things  'bout  ez 
I  wish  'em,  it'll  all  come  out  right  in  the  end. 
Hazel  jist  can't  help  trustin'  ye,  'n'  a  good  deal 
more  when  she  knows  what  I  know  'bout  ye. 
Leave  it  to  me,  leave  it  to  me,  'n'  take  keer  o'  yer- 
self  while  ye're  away." 

And  Stacy  felt  as  if  he  had  already  offered  his 
hand  and  heart  to  this  rare  maiden  and  was  await- 
ing her  answer. 

But  he  would  not  have  told  her  of  what  he  hoped 
to  do  now,  even  if  that  withholding  were  to  part 
them  forever,  for  that  was  his  pride  and  way.  It 
must  be  himself  she  wanted,  for  himself  alone,  and 
not  as  compensation  for  any  favor  shown  her 
father. 

"  We  must  hurry  about  this  dinner  matter,"  he 
now  said,  again  consulting  his  watch.  "  It's  half- 
past  twelve;  it  will  take  us  over  an  hour  to  pull  up 
the  creek  even  with  the  tide,  the  stage  leaves  at  four- 
thirty,  and  there  you  are !  " 

"  I  kin  pull  up  in  less'n  'n  hour,"  asserted  Uncle 
Asa  confidently.  "  I  will,  anyhow,  'n'  then  I'll 
hitch  up  'n'  take  ye  to  the  depot  myself.  My  hoss 
kin  go  faster'n  Uncle  Levi's  old  crowbait." 

The  broiled   lobsters   and   coffee   were   speedily 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  119 

made  ready  by  Uncle  Asa.  He  cooked  three  of 
those  delicious  crustaceans  lest  his  honored  guest 
would  not  find  one  enough,  melted  butter  in  a  tin 
cup,  and  served  Stacy  as  if  he  were  a  titled  person- 
age. Once  started,  Uncle  Asa  swung  the  oars  with 
long,  vigorous  strokes  while  Stacy  steered,  the  sea 
breeze  followed  them  cool,  crisp,  and  refreshing, 
scores  of  bobolinks  rose  from  the  marsh  on  either 
hand,  caroling  their  wondrously  sweet  song,  and 
somehow,  just  now,  it  seemed  to  find  an  echo  in 
Stacy's  heart. 

When  the  boathouse  was  reached  Stacy  suggested 
that  he  walk  on  to  the  hotel,  pay  his  bill,  and  await 
Uncle  Asa  there,  and  did  so. 

And  now  arriving  at  the  village,  he  was  the  ob- 
server of  a  scene  that  effectually  ended  the  bobo- 
link-song mood  within  him,  and  thrust  a  tiny  dagger 
into  his  heart.  He  knew  that  Hazel  was  spending 
the  day  with  one  of  her  girl  chums.  He  had  no 
expectation  of  seeing  her,  no  intention,  certainly,  of 
spying  upon  her;  yet  now,  passing  close  to  a  big 
brown  shrubbery-surrounded  house  near  the  village, 
there  in  a  shaded  hammock  sat  Miss  Hazel  picking 
at  her  banjo,  and  in  the  opposite  end  a  sprucely 
dressed  young  man ! 

One  instant's  flash  of  her  big  brown  eyes  came 
to  Stacy  with  a  cool  little  nod.  He  bowed,  raised 


120  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

his  hat  courteously,  glanced  just  once  at  the  half- 
dozen  other  young  folk  grouped  about  and  strode 
on  feeling  as  if  all  the  world  were  awry. 

And  that  was  the  last  time  that  he  saw  Miss 
Hazel  for  many  months. 

The  Old  Guard,  with  two  additions,  were  lined 
up  in  the  hotel  piazza,  chairs  when  Stacy  reached  it, 
Sam  in  their  midst,  and  from  their  curious  glances 
and  animated  faces  it  was  evident  that  some  un- 
usual happening  had  disturbed  their  minds.  Sam 
greeted  Stacy  with  unusual  deference;  Stacy  ex- 
plained to  him  later  in  the  office  that  Uncle  Asa  had 
been  unable  to  take  him  fishing  as  he  had  hoped, 
paid  his  bill,  and  to  protect  himself  from  a  quizzing 
from  Sam,  remained  in  his  room  until  he  saw  Uncle 
Asa  nearing  the  hotel,  then  descended,  shook  hands 
with  Sam  and  rode  away  with  Uncle  Asa. 

And  never  before  since  that  Old  Guard  made 
Sam's  piazza  their  summer  rendezvous  or  gathered 
around  his  open  Franklin  stove  in  winter,  had  a 
visitor  come  and  gone  who  had  excited  them  as 
much  as  Stacy  had,  or  whom  they  so  longed  to 
question ! 

"  Thar's  the  devil  'n'  Tom  Walker  to  pay,"  as- 
serted Sam  the  moment  Stacy  rode  away,  "  'n' 
Uncle  Asa's  in  the  game,  I  cal'late.  Fust,  that  feller 
comes  here  'n'  ketches  on  with  him,  they  go  fishin', 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  121 

go  down  the  crick  with  Hazel  'n'  a  couple  o'  other 
gals  fer  a  clam-boil,  he  calls  thar  a  few  times,  goes 
off,  comes  back,  tells  Uncle  Levi,  Bear  Hole  Swamp's 
goin'  to  be  turned  into  a  big  reservoir  some  day, 
shops  put  up,  'n'  doin's  o'  all  sorts.  Then  he  comes 
back  like  he  dropped  outen  the  clouds,  tells  me  he 
wants  Rocky  Glen  brook  fer  a  trout  brook  o'  his 
own,  pays  me  six  hundred  cold  plunks  fer  it  like 
they  war  waste  paper,  'n'  goes  off  mum  ez  a  clam. 
Either  thar's  a  nigger  in  the  woodpile,  or  that  chap's 
crazy  ez  a  loon." 

For  two  hours,  also,  or  until  supper  time,  this 
epitome  of  Stacy's  actions  formed  the  Old  Guard's 
sole  topic  of  converse,  with  varying  opinions  as  to 
whether  he  were  a  sane  millionaire,  or  a  lunatic 
with  money  to  burn  —  the  latter  predominating. 

Arriving  at  Oakdale  depot  —  an  isolated  spot 
with  woods  all  about  and  the  only  house  in  sight 
that  of  the  station  agent  —  Stacy,  to  enjoy  his  cigar 
and  privacy  with  Uncle  Asa,  asked  that  they  await 
the  train  in  their  carryall  near  the  station ;  and  here 
he  once  more  went  over  the  manner  and  method  by 
which  Uncle  Asa  was  to  do  his  part  in  forcing 
restitution  of  his  money  by  sale  of  a  worthless 
swamp  to  Otero,  pal  and  tool  of  Curtis  North. 

"  You  must  be  sly,  *  devilish  sly,'  Uncle  Asa," 
Stacy  cautioned  him,  "  for  you  will  be  dealing  with 


122  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

a  fellow  that  I've  no  doubt  has  committed  every 
crime  in  the  calendar  and  escaped  the  law  so  far. 
The  one  point  most  effective  will  be  your  convincing 
him  it's  your  sense  of  honor  that  keeps  you  from  ac- 
cepting any  offer  —  as  he  has  no  honor,  he  will  not 
easily  believe  you  have  —  and  convincing  him  of 
this  will  be  the  turning  point  in  making  him  believe 
that  he  is  safe  in  buying  this  property.  He  will 
hear  that  I  have  bought  the  Rocky  Glen  gorge  — 
I  dare  not  leave  that  uncovered  —  only  —  and  I 
have  paved  the  way  for  it  —  he  will  hear  all  about 
the  big  deal  on  hand  to  buy  Bear  Hole  Swamp 
before  he  calls  on  you,  and  your  positive  refusal  to 
sell  until  after  a  long  parley,  and  big  price  offered, 
will  be  the  convincing  proof  that  he  is  buying  what 
we  want  for  a  reservoir." 

"  It's  a  cut-throat  game,  V  I  ain't  used  to  'em," 
declared  Uncle  Asa,  "but  I'll  do  the  best  I  kin. 
I  dunno's  it's  quite  right  to  take  more'n  the  four 
thousand  this  North  skinned  me  outen,  though. 
It  don't  seem  so." 

"  But  you've  actually  got  to  sell  Bear  Hole 
Swamp,"  returned  Stacy  positively.  "  It  will  be 
worth  double  ten  thousand  dollars  as  soon  as  our 
power  starts  its  wheels,  and  then  you  deserve  some 
return  for  the  distress  of  mind  you  have  suffered. 
Don't  have  any  compunctions  of  conscience,  Uncle 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  123 

Asa.  The  money  this  swindler  will  put  in  was 
practically  stolen  by  him,  some  of  it  actually,  no 
doubt,  so  rest  easy  in  your  mind." 

When  the  train  was  heard  coming,  Uncle  Asa 
jumped  out  hurriedly,  hitched  his  horse,  grasped 
Stacy's  suit-case  and  led  the  way  to  the  station 
platform. 

"  Good-bye,  'n'  God  bless  ye,  Mr.  Whipple,  God 
bless  ye,"  he  said,  when  the  final  moment  of  parting 
came ;  "  'n'  say,  I'd  give  five  years  o'  my  life,  'n' 
I  hain't  many  left,  to  tell  Hazel  now  so  she  —  she 
could  be  thinkin'  ez  I  do  'bout  ye.  Mebbe  ye' 11 
write  me  from  the  West,  'n'  I  kin  hev  Hazel  answer. 
My  writin's  a  good  deal  like  crow-tracks  in  the 
mud." 

And  once  away,  it  dawned  on  Stacy  that  this  last 
proposal  was  an  occult  one  to  make  Hazel  realize 
that  he  was  the  honorable  man  Uncle  Asa  believed 
him  to  be  —  also  a  possible  hope  of  something  be- 
yond of  mutual  benefit. 

Another  conclusion  also  came  to  him  as  the  train 
sped  on,  which  was  that  if  his  trap  caught  this 
swindler  and  he  found  what  he  felt  sure  of  finding 
in  Rawhide,  he  would  set  another,  either  to  land 
him  in  jail,  or  make  him  give  up  the  deed  of  Uncle 
Asa's  swamp;  all  of  which  must  be  accepted  as 
further  proof  of  Stacy's  penchant  for  air  castles. 


W 


CHAPTER  XI 

£  £  ^  "^  T'ELL,  old  man,  what  success  ?  "  ques- 
tioned Bert  Colby,  Stacy's  genial, 
hustling  partner,  when  he  entered 
their  office  thirty-six  hours  later  and  after  the  usual 
handshake.  "  Did  you  land  Barre  all  right  ?  " 

"  Yes,  got  contracts  all  signed  and  witnessed  and 
went  back  to  Oakdale  and  bought  the  best  dam  site 
there  for  six  hundred,"  returned  Stacy  tersely, 
"  and  had  a  heap  of  fun  besides.  Say,  my  boy," 
he  added  smiling,  "  Oakdale's  a  dream  of  a  spot  for 
trout  fishing,  but  the  hotel  would  give  you  dyspepsia, 
with  a  table  maid  that  chews  gum  while  serving." 

"  How  about  your  Uncle  Reuben,  the  nice  old 
farmer  who  took  you  fishing,  and  his  peach  of  a 
girl  ?  "  smiled  Bert.  "  I  guess  she's  the  one  who 
added  charm  to  the  brooks.  Did  she  ?  "  — 

"  No,  she  doesn't  chew  gum,"  interrupted  Stacy. 
"  She's  the  finest  and  keenest  country  girl  I  ever 
saw." 

"  Stung,  my  boy,  stung,  good  and  plenty," 
laughed  Bert,  "  and  by  the  way,  here's  the  layout  of 

124 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  125 

the  gold  brick  your  Uncle  Rube  bought,"  and  he 
handed  Stacy  a  long  official  envelope. 

Stacy  glanced  at  its  corner  caption,  "  Carson  City 
Bureau  of  Mining  Statistics,"  then  drew  forth  its 
missive. 

Briefly  stated,  it  gave  the  information  that  the 
Rawhide  Gold  Mining  and  Reduction  Company  had 
been  duly  organized  under  the  laws  of  Nevada; 
capital  two  hundred  thousand  dollars,  divided  into 
twenty  thousand  shares,  par  value  ten  dollars ;  Presi- 
dent Curtis  North,  Secretary  and  Treasurer  Leon 
Otero,  both  of  Rawhide;  directors,  these  two  with 
three  other  names  given,  from  Deadwood,  Colorado. 
A  footnote  added  was  to  the  effect  that  owing  to 
failure  to  give  annual  report  and  non-payment  of 
State  tax,  the  said  charter  had  been  adjudged  as 
forfeited. 

For  fully  five  minutes  Stacy  studied  this  plain 
statement  of  facts,  stroking  his  brown,  well-kept 
mustache  meanwhile  —  an  unusual  act  for  him  — 
then  ejaculated,  "  No  chance  to  catch  him  in 
Nevada,  anyhow." 

"  Catch  whom  ?  "  queried  his  partner  curiously. 
"  Have  you  added  the  sleuthing  business  to  ours?  " 

"  No,"  replied  Stacy,  "  but  I've  set  out  to  catch 
one  slick  swindler  to  help  Uncle  Asa  out  of  a  hole." 


126  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

Then  Colby  —  for  they  were  in  the  seclusion  of 
their  private  office  —  exploded  in  a  burst  of 
laughter ! 

"  Well,  you  are  worse  than  stung,"  he  'exclaimed, 
subsiding,  "  you  are  bit,  scooped,  done  for,  landed, 
and  all  within  ten  days!  You  called  the  turn! 
Uncle  Rube's  daughter  must  be  a  winner!  But 
what  the  devil  do  you  want  to  chase  a  bunco  man 
out  to  Nevada  for?  Does  she  make  that  a  pro- 
vision? " 

"  No,  she  hasn't  even  grown  to  believe  I  am 
honest  yet,"  returned  Stacy  soberly.  "  Thinks  I 
came  to  Oakdale  to  sell  her  father  more  mine  stock, 
or  on  some  swindling  game.  There  is  a  more  dan- 
gerous snake  in  the  grass  in  this  case,  than  the  one 
that  charmed  Mother  Eve." 

Then  Stacy  gave  his  partner,  who  was  like  a 
brother  to  him,  a  full  and  explicit  account  of  his 
visit  to  Oakdale  and  Barre,  his  meeting  with  Curtis 
North  and  Otero,  with  an  exposure  of  their  sup- 
posed plot,  and  a  description  of  the  trap  he  had  set 
for  them.  Hazel,  of  course,  came  in  as  a  side  light 
in  this  drama  —  for  she  was  too  much  in  Stacy's 
mind  to  be  omitted  —  and  her  charm,  keen  wit,  and 
filial  devotion  were  touched  upon  by  him.  "  It's  to 
save  her  poor  little  heritage  and  comfort  her  father 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  127 

—  one  of  Nature's  noblemen  —  that  I've  taken  a 
hand  in  this  game,"  Stacy  then  explained.  "  She 
is  a  rare  girl,  and  while  I'm  not  in  love  with  her 
yet,  the  only  way  I'll  escape  that  malady  is  to  keep 
away  from  Oakdale.  A  month  there  and  I'd  be  a 
goner ! " 

"  Well  then,  hike  to  Oakdale  at  once,  for  you 
might  easily  do  a  bigger  fool  thing,"  asserted  Colby 
in  response  —  for  he  had  a  charming  wife,  home, 
and  two  children.  "  In  fact,  as  there  are  scores 
of  La  Rosa  Carmens  abroad  in  the  land,  if  this 
country  lass  is  half  what  you  describe,  I'll  blow  a 
cool  five  hundred  on  a  wedding  present  for  you  two, 
and  call  it  money  well  spent." 

"  Thanks,  old  man,"  returned  Stacy  soberly, 
"  you  may  have  the  chance  if  I  am  obliged  to  super- 
intend our  work  in  Oakdale.  And  now  how  about 
my  trip  West  you  wrote  me  about?  What's  to  be 
done?" 

"  Why,  first,  you  must  see  two  parties  in  New 
York,  buying  agents  who  want  some  of  our  Number 
One  Compressed  Air  Drillers,  about  a  hundred  I 
expect,  then  you  will  have  to  go  to  Nevada  and  on 
to  Seattle  to  see  mine  owners  and  take  measure- 
ments. It's  going  to  delay  our  Oakdale  work  some, 
but  can't  help  it.  This  Drill  order  has  too  much  pie 


128  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

in  it  to  put  off,  and  I  can't  leave  here,  anyhow." 
And  so  Stacy  once  more  found  himself  in  business 
harness  after  the  charm  of  Oakdale. 

That  evening  also,  in  the  cozy  seclusion  of  his 
own  house  and  sitting-room,  and  just  for  fun,  he 
gave  his  aunt  a  "  big,  big  jolly,"  as  he  would  put  it. 

"  Aunt  Carrie,"  he  said  soberly,  when  the  chance 
came,  "  you  have  for  many  years  advised  that  the 
proper  thing  for  me  to  do  was  to  get  married  and 
give  you  a  companion  to  help  watch  and  take  care 
of  your  pets,  also  me.  Well,  I  found  the  perfect 
one  ten  days  ago,  a  country  lass  who  wears  a  calico 
sunbonnet,  can  milk  the  cows,  I  imagine,  and  makes 
the  most  delightful  shortcake  that  ever  melted  in  a 
man's  mouth.  She  also  plays  the  banjo  and  sings 
coon  songs  like  an  artist.  How  would  it  strike  you 
if  I  brought  her  here  in  September?  " 

"  Mercy ! "  gasped  his  aunt  as  visions  of  a 
farmer's  freckled  daughter  who  said  "  haow  "  and 
"  Yew  don't  tell !  "  flashed  into  her  mind.  "  Do  you 
mean  it,  Stacy,  do  you?  Why  I  —  I  never  sup- 
posed such  a  girl  would  suit  you  ?  " 

Then  Stacy  laughed  heartily. 

"  I  didn't  say  she  suited  me  exactly,"  he  returned, 
still  chuckling,  "  but  you  can  dress  her  up  so  the 
'tater  bugs  won't  chase  her  any  more,  I  think  she 
can  get  her  feet  into  number  seven  shoes  —  eights, 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  129 

anyhow  —  you  can  check  her  propensity  to  chew 
gum  during  divine  service  and  exclaim  *  Land's 
sake ! '  and  '  Laws-a-massy ! '  too  often  in  company, 
and  so  get  along  with  her.  I  am  doing  this  to  please 
you,  Aunt  Carrie." 

Then  his  aunt  eyed  him  curiously,  for  she  was  not 
as  credulous  as  may  be  imagined.  "  I  know  you 
are  joking,"  she  said,  smiling  benignly  (like  Uncle 
Asa,  as  Stacy  thought),  "  but  I  hope  you  will  marry, 
and  I  know  a  country  girl  will  make  you  a  good 
wife.  They  are  always  good  and  sensible.  You 
know  what  I  think  of  city  girls  —  vain  and 
frivolous,  if  not  fast." 

Then,  and  to  ease  the  mind  of  this  most  excellent 
woman  —  country  born  —  who  had  been  practically 
a  mother  to  him  for  eighteen  years,  Stacy  j;ave  her 
a  truthful  description  of  Hazel  and  her  charms. 
And  it  is  needless  to  add  that  his  aunt  exclaimed 
over  this  possible  outcome  as  all  country  mothers 
would. 

Another  development,  more  pertinent  to  this  nar- 
rative than  its  love  interest  came  to  Stacy  during 
the  week  that  now  elapsed  before  he  left  Albion 
again,  that  must  be  related.  There  was  in  his  office 
a  young  man  about  his  age,  a  boyhood  schoolmate 
in  the  way-back  town  Stacy  came  from,  and  a 
sensible,  keen-witted  fellow,  whom  he  had  taken  in 


I3o  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

hand  years  before,  by  the  name  of  Isaac  Williams. 
He  had  been  observant,  anxious  to  learn,  was  a  good 
penman,  and  was  now  head  bookkeeper  for  the  firm ; 
also  devoted  to  Stacy  personally  as  was  natural. 

"  I  overheard  something  last  night  in  a  cafe,  Mr. 
Whipple,"  he  said  to  him  early  one  morning  (the 
fourth  since  his  return  from  Oakdale)  "  that  I 
think  you  ought  to  know."  As  Colby  had  not  ar- 
rived and  this  might  be  confidential,  Stacy  at  once 
invited  "  Ike,"  as  he  was  called,  into  the  private 
office,  and  told  him  to  go  ahead. 

"  I  was  at  the  show  last  night  —  Park  Square 
Theater,"  continued  Ike,  "  with  a  girl  I  take  out 
occasionally,  and  afterwards  took  her  to  the  Jap 
Garden's  cafe  for  lunch.  It's  a  nice,  cozy  one,  with 
music,  and  little  stalls  with  paper  partitions  and 
bamboo  curtains  —  you  know  the  place  —  and  it's 
all  right.  Well,  as  we  were  going  in  I  noticed  a 
couple  in  the  stall  next  to  the  one  we  took,  and  the 
fellow,  a  slick  little  Spanish-looking  sort  of  a  chap, 
was  just  giving  his  order  to  the  waiter,  so  the  cur- 
tain was  up,  and  the  lady  with  him  was  that  Miss 
Carmen  I  know  you  used  to  take  to  theaters  occa- 
sionally. Well,  we  hadn't  been  seated  five  minutes 
—  I'd  just  given  my  order  —  when  I  overheard  your 
name  mentioned  by  this  Miss  Carmen,  and  I  began 
to  listen,  She  was  talking  low  and  mysterious.  I 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  131 

couldn't  catch  all  that  was  said,  but  the  point  of 
it  was  this  chap  had  just  come  from  Barre  where  he 
had  gone  to  work  some  scheme  or  upset  your  plans 
and  was  sure  of  doing  it.  She  admitted,  too,  that 
she  was  next  to  one  of  the  committee  there  also, 
or  he  had  been  here  to  see  her  and  told  her  what 
was  afoot.  I  judged  by  one  admission  of  hers  that 
she  was  pretty  intimate  with  this  Barre  chap  or 
had  some  hold  on  him.  I  also  heard  her  say  to 
this  fellow,  '  Now  remember,  I  am  to  have  a  mate 
to  the  diamond  bracelet  from  you  when  the  trick  is 
done  —  no  go-back,  or  I'll  peach,'  and  he  said,  '  My 
dear,  it  ees  promised,  I  haf  kept  my  vord  and  I 
vill.'  I  heard  some  love  talk  mixed  in  later,  and 
kissing  with  it.  He  is  to  take  her  to  the  Park 
Square  to-night  also.  The  game  they  had  or  were 
putting  up  is  one  you  best  know,  I  thought." 

"  Most  certainly,"  returned  Stacy,  "  and  I  thank 
you  for  your  fidelity.  ,Now  I  want  you  to  go  with 
me  to  the  Park  Square  to-night.  We  will  keep 
apart  and  watch  out.  I  think  I  know  who  the  fellow 
is,  but  it's  best  that  we  are  not  seen  together."  Then 
the  bookkeeper  returned  to  his  duties,  and  Stacy 
to  a  mental  kicking  of  himself  for  sundry  and  divers 
reasons. 

'  Hell  hath  no  fury  like  a  woman  scorned,'  "  he 
muttered,  pulling  at  his  mustache  again,  "  and  she 


132  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

has  got  it  in  for  me !  And  to  think  I  once  thought 
her  so  glorious,  and  was  on  the  point  of  proposing! 
I  ought  to  have  her  picture  framed  as  Sam  did  the 
certificate,  to  prove  how  many  kinds  of  damn  fool 
I  was !  And  she  nothing  but  a  despicable  adventur- 
ess, and  worse !  "  Then  he  arose  and  began  to  pace 
the  office  while  he  digested  this  new  complication 
and  how  to  use  it.  He  had  at  first  only  meant  to 
rescue  Uncle  Asa's  money  with  good  interest  — 
now  he  was  so  angry  that  he  determined  to  jail 
both  these  swindlers,  cost  what  it  might. 

"  I  wonder  if  I  couldn't  get  you  sent  up  for  a 
year  or  two,  Miss  La  Rosa  Carmen,  just  for  luck," 
he  now  soliloquized,  "  if  I  put  a  detective  on  your 
trail  ? "  Then  better  sense  came  to  him.  "  No, 
you  idiot,"  he  asserted,  thinking  of  himself,  "  better 
by  far  go  hug  a  busy  buzz  saw  than  to  try  games  on 
a  woman  like  her !  " 

He  kept  both  his  own  cogitations  and  the  book- 
keeper's disclosure  from  his  partner,  who  came  in 
later,  for  obvious  reasons,  and  that  evening  he  and 
Ike  met  early  and  stationed  themselves  for  a  sly 
observance  of  the  theater's  arriving  patrons  from 
outside  its  entrance.  Stacy  was  in  due  time  re- 
warded, for  just  before  curtain  time  a  carriage 
halted  in  front  of  the  theater,  Jehu  opened  its  door 
obsequiously,  out  stepped  Otero  in  evening  dress, 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  133 

top  coat,  crush  hat,  and  holding  a  big  bouquet,  and 
after  him  "  La  Rosa  Carmen,"  resplendent  with 
many  diamonds  and  the  very  latest  in  modish  rai- 
ment. 

Stacy  had  not  seen  her  for  four  years  or  cared 
to  for  six ;  did  not  even  know  whether  she  had  been 
in  the  city  all  that  time  or  not  —  she  was  merely  an 
episode  in  his  past  life  that  he  wished  to  forget  — 
yet  now  as  she  swept  by  within  ten  feet  of  where 
he  stood  in  shadow,  she  was  an  undeniably  hand- 
some woman,  not  looking  a  year  older  since  seen 
by  him,  in  fact  bewitchingly  beautiful. 

"  She's  a  Juno  in  form  and  face,  a  Circe  at  heart, 
with  soul  of  a  she-devil,"  he  said  to  himself  now, 
"  yet  scores  of  men  will  pursue  and  pay  any  price 
for  her  Judas  kisses  —  damn  her !  "  which  profane 
sneer  can  easily  be  excused,  or  should  be. 

"  I  should  think  she'd  feel  ashamed  to  be  seen 
with  that  insignificant  little  pup,"  he  added,  now 
turning  to  find  Ike,  "  but  what  do  they  care  so  long 
as  the  price  is  paid?  Another  diamond  bracelet  to 
do  me,  eh  ?  Well,  we  will  see !  '  Whoever  laughs 
last,  laughs  longest,'  Bert  says." 

He  had  seen  all  he  wanted  and  obtained  all  he 
wanted,  namely,  confirmation  of  who  was  with  her 
in  the  cafe,  and  not  wishing  to  be  seen  by  this 
woman,  when  Ike  was  found  the  two  hurried  away. 


134  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

"  Come,  Ike,  my  boy,"  Stacy  now  said  in  com- 
radeship tone,  and  grasping  his  arm,  "  let's  you  and 
I  have  a  drink  in  memory  of  boyhood  days,  then 
I'll  tell  you  something,  for  I'm  sure  I  can  trust  you. 
Just  a  long  claret  lemonade  up  in  one  corner  of  the 
Alhambra  roof  garden." 

And  here  and  thus  ensconced  in  cool  seclusion 
Stacy  did  tell  him  something,  which  was  the  history 
of  his  heart  affair  with  La  Rosa  Carmen  and  its 
denouement  in  her  obtaining  inside  information  of 
Barre's  intentions,  then  selling  it  to  this  probable 
paramour,  Otero,  for  one  diamond  bracelet,  with 
some  of  the  spoils  probably,  and  the  mate  to  that  for 
later  pay.  He  also  told  of  the  trap  he  had  set. 

"  Colby  knows  about  Carmen,"  he  admitted  in 
conclusion,  "  but  he  doesn't  know  what  I've  told 
you,  that  she  never  was  anything  to  me  especially, 
for  I  believed  her  a  good  girl,  while  she  —  well,  she 
really  meant  to  marry  me,  so  set  out  to  play  the  in- 
nocent game  of  course.  I  just  had  to  tell  someone 
the  facts  to  take  the  taste  of  her  out  of  my  mouth. 
Colby  doesn't,  or  I  don't  want  him  to  know  of  the 
game  she  has  set  up  —  he  has  worries  enough  —  so 
you  mustn't  tell  him.  Keep  still  about  all  I've  said. 
I  may  want  to  send  you  to  Oakdale  or  to  New  York 
later  on  to  play  spy  on  this  Curtis  North.  I  intend 
to  land  him  in  jail  if  I  can."  Then,  after  another 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  135 

of  the  cooling  mixtures  absorbed  through  straws, 
the  two  shook  hands,  and  Stacy  went  home. 

Next  day,  or  the  one  before  he  was  to  leave 
Albion,  a  better  mood  came,  for  Hazel's  face  was  in 
it,  and  in  his  heart  as  well.  He  also  wondered  what 
gift  or  token  of  it  he  could  now  send  her  —  the 
usual  way  of  a  man  in  love.  This,  however,  he  had 
hard  work  to  determine.  Books  and  flowers  were 
the  only  things  admissible  according  to  his  calendar, 
the  latter  of  course  out  of  the  question,  so  he  be- 
took himself  to  a  bookstore.  Six  de  luxe  copies 
of  the  best  poets  with  as  many  more  of  current  fic- 
tion were  here  selected,  then  Stacy  thought  of  her 
auto-harp  and  banjo  and  hastened  away  to  a  music 
dealer's,  with  the  result  that  enough  music  for  those 
two  instruments  to  last  her  two  years,  together  with 
the  books,  was  soon  on  its  way  to  Miss  Hazel 
Webster,  Oakdale. 

Stacy  didn't  even  enclose  his  card  —  just  sent  the 
things  and  let  her  guess  from  whom  they  came. 

And  now  having  done  so  much  to  assuage  his  wee 
little  heart  hunger  for  this  "  rare  and  radiant  maiden 
named  " —  Hazel,  the  six  weeks'  jaunt  and  twice 
across  this  continent  now  seemed  an  interminably 
long  time  to  be  away. 


CHAPTER  XII 

WITH  the  feeling  that  he  must  keep  his 
coat  buttoned  tightly  to  protect  his 
watch  and  pocketbook,  and  a  firm  hold 
of  his  suit-case  —  an  impression  that  always  came 
the  moment  he  set  foot  in  New  York  —  Stacy 
pushed  and  elbowed  his  way  through  the  Grand 
Central  Depot,  took  a  carriage  to  the  Holland 
House,  secured  a  room,  and  proceeded  at  once  to 
Number  441  West  Twenty-third  Street.  He  found 
it  a  brownstone  front  and  dingy  brick  lodging  house 
in  the  Tenderloin  borders  with  "  Rooms  to  let  "  card 
in  one  window. 

"  Is  Mr.  Leon  Otero  in?  "  he  asked  of  the  mulatto 
maid  who  answered  his  ring. 

"  No,  sah,"  she  returned,  eyeing  him  sharply. 

"  Can  you  tell  me  where  I  can  find  him  ?  "  Stacy 
next  inquired  suavely.  "  It's  a  matter  of  important 
business." 

"  No,  sah ;  Ah  dunno,  sah,"  came  from  her  of 
brick-color  face.  "  He  done  been  gone  away  mos' 
free  weeks  now,  sah." 

"Is  Mr.  Curtis  rooming  here?"  Stacy  next 

136 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  137 

hazarded.     Then   the    maid   flashed    him   another 
snaky  look  from  her  black  eyes. 

"  He  don't  lib  here,"  she  admitted  hesitatingly, 
"you  kin  find  him  at  his  office,  Ah  'spect." 

"  Well,  I  wish  to  find  either  Mr.  Otero  or  him," 
asserted  Stacy  anxiously,  "  on  a  matter  of  urgent 
business.  Where  is  the  office  of  Mr.  Curtis?  " 

"  In  de  Mills  Building  on  Wall  Street,"  she  hesi- 
tated. "  Ah  doan  'member  de  number,  sah.  What 
am  youah  name,  sah  ?  " 

"  My  name's  Williams,"  returned  Stacy  briskly, 
"  and  I  wanted  to  see  Mr.  Otero  about  hiring  some 
men  of  him.  I  will  try  to  see  Mr.  Curtis.  Good 
morning."  And  having  obtained  more  information 
than  he  expected,  he  bowed  politely  and  turned 
away. 

"  Office  on  Wall  Street,  eh,  you  whiskered 
scoundrel !  "  he  muttered  when  well  away  from  this 
house.  "  So  it's  big  game  you  are  still  after ! 
Wonder  if  the  office  of  the  Rawhide  Mine  is 
there?" 

He  hurried  up  the  street,  almost  ran  up  the 
nearest  elevated  railway  stairs,  caught  a  down-town 
train,  and  was  soon  at  the  Mills  sky-scraper, 
Number  35  Wall  Street. 

Here  and  glancing  over  its  office  list,  "  Room  210, 
Floor  22,  Curtis  &  Company,"  soon  rewarded  him. 


138  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

Then  he  hesitated,  for  he  had  no  wish  to  meet  this 
arch-villain  now,  in  fact  that  was  the  very  thing 
he  did  not  want  to  do  yet.  It  was  possible  to  do  a 
little  more  sleuthing,  however,  so  he  caught  an  ex- 
press elevator  car  and  was  shot  up  to  Floor  Twenty- 
two  in  a  jiffy.  Here,  with  hands  in  pockets  like  a 
farmer,  he  strolled  leisurely  down  the  corridor. 
Room  210  was  easily  found,  Stacy  glanced  up  and 
down  the  corridor,  saw  no  one  was  observing  him, 
then  sidled  up  to  the  door  upon  the  ground  glass 
panel  of  which  was  lettered,  ""  Curtis  &  Company. 
Mining  Stocks  and  Investment  Securities,"  and 
listened.  No  sound  came  from  within,  so  he  next 
turned  the  door  knob  cautiously  and  found  the  door 
locked. 

"  So  the  bird's  away,"  he  muttered,  now  strolling 
on,  "  and  all  the  better."  He  kept  on,  also,  around 
three  divisions  of  this  corridor  until  he  saw  a  brass- 
buttoned  young  Irishman  with  appearance  of  jani- 
torship,  and  him  he  accosted. 

"  Do  you  know  a  man  named  Curtis  —  big  fel- 
low, red  face,  white  side-whiskers,  dealer  in  mine 
stocks,  on  this  floor  ?  "  he  queried. 

"  Yis,  sor;  Room  Two-ten,  jist  around  two  cor- 
ners, sor,"  came  the  direct  answer  from  Pat. 

"  I  tried  that  door,"  returned  Stacy,  "  but  nobody 
in.  How  long  since  you  have  seen  Mr.  Curtis?" 


THE  CASTLE  BVILDERo  139 

"I  can't  say,  sor;  a  wake  or  two  I'm  thinkin'. 
He  don't  be  here  much,  sor."  And  having  thus  lo- 
cated those  two  slick  schemers,  Stacy  left  the  build- 
ing. His  business  in  the  city  consumed  three  days, 
each  evening  of  which  was  passed  at  some  theater, 
and  somehow  every  moment  of  those  many  hours 
of  hurrying  hither  and  yon  Stacy's  eyes  were  con- 
tinually on  watch  for  the  conspicuous  face  of  Cur- 
tis. He  looked  carefully  around  or  over  theater 
audiences  for  this  peculiar  face;  also,  and  mean- 
time, in  spite  of  important  business  matters  to  be 
discussed  and  keen  men  to  be  bargained  with,  he 
kept  wondering  whether  or  not,  just  now,  this  fel- 
low, Otero,  was  playing  gallant  to  the  Carmen  siren 
or  had  gone  to  Oakdale.  He  was  glad  when  the 
time  came  for  leaving  New  York  also;  that  city 
always  oppressed  him  with  a  vague  sense  of  un- 
easiness ;  and  when  once  on  board  a  through  West- 
ern train  of  all  Pullmans  it  seemed  as  if  he  were 
escaping  from  an  enemy's  country. 

And  now  with  three  days  and  nights  of  luxurious 
ease  ahead,  two  late  novels  in  his  suit-case,  two 
boxes  of  his  favorite  cigars,  also,  and  time  to  think; 
he  began  a  more  coherent  plan  or  outline  of  how  to 
circumvent  these  two  conspirators.  It  would  de- 
pend a  good  deal  upon  what  he  learned  in  Rawhide, 
however,  for  it  was  evident  Curtis  North  had  ob- 


140  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

literated  himself  as  much  as  possible  and  was  now 
the  well-to-do  semi-retired  business  man,  Pentecost 
Curtis,  fat  and  prosperous,  with  a  Wall  Street  office 
scarcely  used  except  for  an  address.  He  didn't  live 
on  Twenty-third  Street,  not  he!  That  was  good 
enough  for  Otero,  his  pal,  or  maybe  as  a  spare  bur- 
row wherein  to  hide  in  case  of  necessity.  Stacy's 
reception  by  the  mulatto  maid  of  Number  441  now 
also  seemed  in  line  with  his  surmises,  and  her  curi- 
ous reticence  and  brusque  demand  for  his  name  to 
be  evidence  that  she  had  been  duly  cautioned.  It 
was  probable,  also,  that  Curtis  North  had  severed 
all  connection  with  his  Rawhide  mine,  would  act  vir- 
tuously indignant  if  even  called  its  former  president, 
and  as  Pentecost  Curtis  would  disclaim  all  knowl- 
edge of  that  swindle.  And  now  with  so  much  of  this 
web  of  trickery  and  assumed  name  thought  out,  it 
occurred  to  Stacy  —  the  skeptic,  air-castle  builder, 
and  shrewd  business  man  combined  —  that  in  this 
obliteration  of  a  scamp  from  his  former  rascalities 
was  an  opening  to  give  that  arch-villain  at  least  a 
severe  scare.  Then,  and  following  this  conclusion, 
came  the  possibility  of  another  bold  stroke.  In  case 
Uncle  Asa  sold  Bear  Hole  Swamp  to  Otero,  con- 
federate of  Curtis  North,  alias  P.  Curtis,  of  forcing 
this  swindler  to  give  up  the  deed  or  face  legal  con- 
sequences. 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  141 

"  By  Jove,  I'll  do  it  if  I  can,"  Stacy  exclaimed, 
now  springing  to  his  feet  in  his  private  compart- 
ment of  the  on-rushing  train;  and  then  as  the 
comical  side  of  his  plot  and  plan  occurred  to  him, 
he  laughed  long  and  heartily. 

"  I  wonder  what  Uncle  Asa  will  say  if  I  do,"  he 
added,  subsiding,  "  and  Hazel !  Also  Sam,  who 
thought  he  had  so  good  a  joke  on  me?  If  I  do,  I'll 
buy  that  certificate  of  him  as  a  souvenir !  " 

Then  this  builder  of  air-castles  leaped  back  to 
Maple  Dell  in  thought  and  to  the  cool  yet  sweet 
and  bewitching  maid  who  dwelt  there.  He  also 
wondered  what  she  would  say  or  think  of  his  gift 
of  books  and  music,  and  how  it  was  that  she  was  so 
distrustful  of  him  on  sight?  He  was  now  satisfied 
that  her  coolness  was  all  due  to  her  imagining  him 
there  to  inveigle  her  confiding  father,  and  this,  per- 
haps, more  than  all  else,  now  inspired  him  to,  as  he 
would  say,  "  do  that  shrewd,  slick  swindler,  Curtis." 

"  I'll  drop  one  tiny  hot  coal  on  her  pretty  head," 
he  again  muttered  with  a  smile,  and  then,  as  if 
smiles  are  never  long  with  us,  his  thoughts  reverted 
to  the  last  time  he  saw  Miss  Hazel  in  the  hammock 
with  a  citified  gallant  no  doubt  saying  all  sort  of 
sweet  things  to  her;  whereat,  it  is  needless  to  say, 
his  smile  vanished. 

Three  days  is  a  long  time  to  a  busy  man  who 


i42  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

has  only  his  always  active  mind  with  books  and 
cigars  for  company ;  and  to  Stacy,  with  many  things 
to  vex  him  besides,  these  three  seemed  interminable, 
and  the  two  thorns  in  the  flesh  were  Hazel's  cool 
indifference,  and  the  fear  that  Uncle  Asa  would 
fail  to  land  this  Otero  as  Stacy  had  instructed  him, 
and  so  nullify  all  chance  of  obtaining  justice. 

"  Uncle  Asa's  too  honest  to  cope  with  such  vil- 
lains," Stacy  said  to  himself,  recalling  his  benign 
face  with  its  enclosing  fringe  of  white  beard  like 
a  halo.  "  He  judges  all  mankind  by  himself,  and 
will  get  left  in  this  diamond-cut-diamond  game." 

It  was  four  A.  M.  when  Stacy's  train  halted  at  a 
small  station  where  a  branch  line  ran  up  to  Raw- 
hide, and  the  only  other  victim  of  an  unseemly  time- 
table was  a  middle-aged  man  of  vigorous  build, 
short-cropped  black  beard,  and  wearing  a  broad, 
light-gray  slouched  hat,  who  alighted  from  another 
car.  Of  course  the  two  bowed  and  smiled  at  one 
another  as  perforce  they  must,  and  Stacy,  noticing 
that  the  other  wore  a  Mystic  Shrine  pin,  was  first 
to  speak. 

"  I  see  you  have ,"  he  said,  quoting  the 

usual  hailing  words  of  that  Order,  and  extending 
his  hand. 

"  I  have ,"  returned  the  other  cordially, 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  143 

also  offering  his,  and  so  mutual  good  fellowship 
was  established  on  the  instant. 

And  never  before  was  Stacy  more  glad  that  he 
belonged  to  that  Order  than  now. 

"  My  name's  Harkins,  Jim  Harkins,"  this  man 
next  added,  "  and  bound  for  Rawhide.  I  live 
there." 

"  And  mine's  Whipple  from  down  east,"  Stacy 
returned.  "  I,  too,  am  going  up  to  Rawhide,"  and 
then  he  looked  around.  The  station,  a  long  one- 
story  building  labeled  "  Rawhide  Junction,"  and 
divided  into  Wells-Fargo  Express  Office,  baggage 
and  waiting-room,  with  barn  and  one  dwelling  back 
of  it,  he  recalled  from  his  visit  over  six  years  previ- 
ous; two  other  abodes  and  a  small  store  had  been 
added  since,  and  beside  the  old  stage  road  up  into 
the  mountains  lay  a  narrow-gauge  railroad.  The 
sun  was  just  reddening  the  mountains  that  seemed 
to  rise  one  above  another  bare-topped,  two  of  the 
most  distant  were  snow-capped,  and  so  clear  the  air 
and  so  silent  this  long  narrow  valley  that  the  rumble 
of  the  departing  train  now  miles  away  returned 
distinctly,  even  to  the  hiss  of  escaping  steam. 

"  We've  got  over  two  hours  to  wait  for  the  east- 
bound  train  and  ours  up  to  Rawhide,"  Harkins 
next  asserted  after  Stacy  had  obtained  his  bearings. 


144  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

"  I've  a  couple  of  sandwiches  and  flask  in  my  grip, 
will  you  join  me  in  a  bite  and  sup?  It's  no  break- 
fast till  we  get  to  Rawhide  about  nine,  if  we  have 
good  luck." 

And  so  this  keen-eyed,  shrewd-spoken  man  made 
friends,  and  at  once  won  the  good  will  and  confi- 
dence of  the  equally  keen-witted  Stacy.  The  latter 
was,  however,  disposed  to  be  cautious  regarding  the 
nature  of  his  errand  here. 

"  I  was  up  at  this  Rawhide  camp  about  seven 
years  ago,"  he  admitted  casually  after  the  one-sand- 
wich lunch  in  the  empty  waiting-room.  "  It  has 
grown  some  since  then,  I  presume." 

"  You  will  hardly  know  it,"  returned  Harkins  di- 
rectly. "  Then  it  was  one  of  the  roughest  of  min- 
ing camps  without  law  or  order,  now  we  have  good 
public  buildings,  a  bank,  hotels,  and  electric  lights 
—  a  remarkable  growth  in  that  time." 

"  You  are  a  resident  there,  or  in  business,  I  as- 
sume ?  "  came  next  from  Stacy,  who  always  sought 
facts  by  circuitous  routes. 

"  I  was  super  of  a  mine  when  you  were  there, 
I  am  marshal  now,"  answered  Harkins  modestly. 

And  then  a  sudden  thrill  of  satisfaction  came  to 
Stacy,  for  this  was  indeed  good  luck. 

"  And  did  you  happen  to  hear  of  or  come  in  con- 
tact with  a  chap  by  the  name  of  Curtis  North  about 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  145 

the  time  you  were  mine  super  ?  "  queried  Stacy  cau- 
tiously. 

"  Oh,  yes,  I  knew  all  about  him,"  responded  Har- 
kins,  flashing  a  sharp  glance  at  Stacy.  "  A  big, 
red- faced,  white-whiskered,  pompous  cuss,  and  bad 
lot  combined.  He  started  a  fake  mine  scheme  there 
but  got  into  some  trouble  and  left  'tween  two  days. 
He  and  a  pal  of  his,  a  low-down  Greaser  they  used 
to  call  Skim;  Otero  was  his  name.  They  and  a 
pair  of  women  from  'Frisco  done  up  a  couple  of 
miners  from  Humpback  Camp  further  up,  and  lit 
out  that  night  with  the  loot  —  or  what  the  women 
didn't  share.  One  of  these  miners  was  found  dead 
in  the  shack  the  women  had  occupied,  but  they 
vanished  before  the  murder  was  discovered." 

"  But  why  weren't  this  North  and  his  pal  pur- 
sued, captured,  and  strung  up?"  inquired  Stacy. 
"  Was  no  evidence  of  the  crime  obtainable?  " 

"  Oh,  plenty,  but  there  wasn't  much  law  in  Raw- 
hide just  then  and  nobody  took  the  matter  up. 
These  two  miners  were  doped,  it  was  believed,  by 
the  women ;  one  got  a  cracked  skull  in  the  round-up, 
the  other  came  to  the  next  afternoon  and  told 
the  story.  There  was  a  watch  fob  belonging  to 
this  whiskered  chap  found  in  the  hut,  also,  a  buffalo 
head  of  solid  gold ;  I've  got  it  at  home." 

For  fully  five  minutes  Stacy  pondered  over  this 


146  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

brief  yet  pertinent  bit  of  mining-camp  history  — 
ordinary  items  in  such  a  gathering  of  lawless  hu- 
manity, yet  the  very  facts  he  wanted  or  had  hoped 
to  find  —  before  he  decided  what  to  say  or  ask  for 
next.  This  fellow,  Harkins,  while  a  brother  Mason 
and  likely  to  be  all  right  and  on  the  square,  was  yet  a 
stranger.  He  might  be  discreet,  and  he  might  not. 
Good  fellowship  and  "  on-the-squareness "  didn't 
always  carry  discretion  as  Stacy  well  knew,  and  he 
had  come  a  thousand  miles  out  of  his  way  to  obtain 
facts  and  set  a  trap  for  one  of  the  shrewdest 
swindlers!  Caution  was  almost  obligatory  now, 
and  he  had  it  in  ample  degree. 

"  You  spoke  of  a  fake  mining  scheme  started 
by  this  whiskered  chap,"  he  said  finally ;  "  what  was 
it?" 

"  Oh,  just  the  ordinary  kind,"  laughed  Harkins, 
as  if  such  things  were  a  joke,  "  and  to  skin  the  new- 
comers, the  tenderfoots.  This  fellow  North  and 
his  pal,  the  Greaser,  got  hold  of  an  abandoned  mine 
up  the  gulch,  just  a  hole  in  the  bank  some  fool  had 
dug  —  that  is  they  obtained  the  government  patent 
on  the  claim  —  bought  a  few  secondhand  tools  and 
set  a  couple  of  men  to  blasting,  and  the  next  I  heard 
had  organized  the  Rawhide  Gold  Mining  and  Re- 
duction Company,  capital  two  hundred  thousand 
dollars.  They  didn't  even  try  to  sell  stock  in  Raw- 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  147 

hide  —  the  boys  were  onto  the  game  there  —  only 
this  North  took  trips  away,  gone  a  month  or  so, 
then  back  again,  while  Skim  sorter  waited  'round 
and  bossed  the  two  men  blasting.  When  his  pard, 
as  I  always  counted  this  North,  returned,  they  were 
in  some  one  of  the  poker  games  on  every  night  and 
usually  all  night.  It  might  have  been  six  months, 
might  be  a  year  —  we  don't  keep  tabs  on  time  over- 
much in  a  mining  camp  —  after  the  two  men  were 
set  at  work  blasting  in  what  we  all  knew  was  a  no- 
good  mine,  when  this  North  gazoo  brought  these 
two  women  to  Rawhide,  and  a  tough  pair  they  were, 
too !  One  was  known,  I  heard  later,  as  *  Bricktop 
Molly  '  and  —  well,  you  know  the  game  such  fairies 
play,  and  a  lawless  mining  camp  is  just  their  sort 
of  pasture.  Anyhow  these  two  kicked  up  quite  a 
rumpus  in  Rawhide,  then  skinned  out  in  the  nick  o' 
time  to  save  themselves  a  coat  of  tar  and  new 
feathers." 

"Could  this  'Bricktop  Molly'  be  found  now?" 
interposed  Stacy. 

"  I  guess  so,"  laughed  Harkins,  eyeing  him  curi- 
ously, "  such  a  red  head  as  hers  couldn't  be  hid  in 
Nevada." 

"  I  might  need  her  for  a  witness,"  Stacy  returned 
slowly,  "  or  a  make-believe  one."  Then  he  arose 
and  extended  his  hand  to  Harkins. 


148  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

And  then  came  a  meeting  of  those  two  extended 
hands  that  inch  by  inch  resolved  itself  into  a  clasp, 
the  sacredness  and  obligation  of  which  needs  no 
words  among  true  Masons  the  world  over.  A 
clasp  or  grip,  by  the  way,  that  once  exchanged  be- 
tween such  binds  each  to  the  other  in  loyal  aid  and 
assistance  as  naught  else  can. 

"  And  now,  Brother  Harkins,"  continued  Stacy, 
after  the  two  sat  down  again,  "  I'm  going  to  tell 
you  who  I  am,  and  what  I'm  after  here." 

And  tell  he  did,  or  at  least  all  that  would  now 
interest  Harkins,  or  pertained  to  the  trap  to  catch 
Pentecost  Curtis  and  pal,  Otero,  and  bring  them  to 
justice. 

"  I  don't  really  want  the  bother  of  a  court  trial 
to  jail  them,"  admitted  Stacy  after  this  disclosure. 
"  I  do  mean  to  obtain  such  evidence  as  will  make 
North  or  Curtis  give  up  the  deed  of  this  Bear  Hole 
Swamp  —  I  assume  he  has  now  obtained  or  soon 
will  obtain  from  this  Uncle  Asa  —  and  gladly,  too, 
to  escape  the  law.  t  Also,  give  him  such  a  scare  that 
he  will  give  Oakdale  and  Barre  both  a  wide  berth 
forever  after." 

"  I  guess  we  can,"  asserted  Harkins,  while  a 
meaning  smile  spread  over  his  face.  "  I'll  do  what 
I  can  to  help  you,  and  that  is  some.  The  boys  at 
Rawhide  will  back  me  in  anything,  even  a  lynching 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  149 

now,  for  since  I  took  the  marshalship  I've  driven 
out  a  good  many  bad  characters  we  hadn't  room 
for." 

"  I'm  willing  to  pay  all  expenses,"  admitted  Stacy 
in  response,  "  and  liberally.  I  may  also  want  you 
to  come  East  and  serve  a  warrant  on  Curtis  North, 
alias  Pentecost  Curtis;  possibly  bring  this  miner 
who  lived  to  tell  the  tale  of  that  night's  orgie,  rob- 
bery and  murder  of  his  companion,  and  with  that 
full  hand  of  scare  cards  we  might  add  an  affidavit 
from  this  '  Bricktop  Molly,'  if  she  can  be  found 
and  frightened  into  giving  one." 

"  I  don't  believe  you  will  need  all  that  hand," 
responded  Harkins.  "  North  will  know  me  the 
moment  he  sets  eyes  on  me,  a  warrant  and  my  badge 
will  do  the  trick  in  short  order;  if  not,  the  buffalo 
head  watch  fob  flashed  at  the  right  moment  will 
add  an  ace  that  will  convince  him  I  hold  the  winning 
cards." 

And  then  once  more  these  two  men,  brothers  now 
in  the  cause  of  justice,  shook  hands. 

Another  hour  was  passed  in  social  chat  with  more 
cigars  to  add  fraternalism,  then  the  station  agent 
made  his  appearance,  said  "  Hullo  Jim  "  to  Har- 
kins, the  east-bound  train  came  along  and  dropped 
a  half-dozen  passengers,  the  narrow-gauge  train 
backed  up,  its  conductor  said  "  All  aboard  for  Raw- 


150  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

hide,"  and  then  for  another  hour  Stacy  watched  out 
the  car  window  and  chatted  with  Harkins,  while 
their  train  crawled  up  the  narrow  mountain  gorge 
to  that  once  lawless  camp  and  hatchery  of  a 
swindle,  and  now  prosperous  mining  town  of  Raw- 
hide. 


CHAPTER  XIII 

HAZEL'S  home  life,  or  relation  with  her 
stepmother,  was  even  more  unpleasant 
than  Stacy  imagined,  and  all  that  made 
her  endure  it  was  love  for  her  father,  and  loyalty 
to  him.  To  begin  with,  the  Widow  Baker,  as  Sam 
had  informed  Stacy,  was  a  Tartar  and  miser  com- 
bined, and  to  obtain  and  hoard  money  her  sole  am- 
bition in  life.  She  had,  when  Hazel  was  twelve 
years  old,  and  two  years  after  her  mother's  death, 
begun  a  deliberate  assault  upon  Uncle  Asa's  feel- 
ings and  sympathy  with  all  the  arts  of  a  designing 
woman,  and  more  from  a  false  belief  that  Hazel 
needed  a  mother's  care  than  from  any  feeling  for 
her  he  had  capitulated,  so  to  speak,  and  installed 
her  as  mistress  of  his  ancient  and  lonesome  abode. 
It  was  an  unwise  step,  as  he  soon  discovered,  but 
the  deed  was  done,  the  knot  tied,  and  as  he  once 
admitted  to  himself,  "  arter  the  hook's  in,  it's  in, 
'n'  derned  hard  work  to  git  it  out  agin."  He  saw 
no  way  to  do  so  in  this  case,  and,  as  was  his  nature, 
set  about  making  the  best  of  it  philosophically. 
"  We  got  to  grin  'n'  bear  some  things  in  this  world, 


152  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

Hazel,"  he  said  to  her  soon  after  her  return  from 
school  in  Barre,  "  V  carry  a  cross,  ez  the  parson 
sez.  Mebbe  Martha  'n'  them  two  boys  o'  hern  is 
my  cross  now.  All  I  kin  hope  fer  is  you  will  help 
me  bear  it  till  ye  git  married,  if  ye  do,  'n'  then  — 
wal  then  I'm  goin'  to  build  me  a  shack  down  by  the 
shore  'n'  live  thar  'n'  drop  the  cross.  Martha  kin 
hev  the  house  all  to  herself  then." 

So  unfit  for  one  another  were  they  that  within 
two  years  after  the  fatal  step  Uncle  Asa  began  oc- 
cupying a  separate  sleeping-room,  and  after  that 
avoided  Martha  as  much  as  possible.  Hazel  could 
neither  do  or  say  anything  to  mend  matters,  in  fact, 
had  no  wish  to  do  so.  From  the  very  outset,  she 
despised,  almost  hated  her  stepmother,  and  in  order 
not  to  be  obligated  in  any  way  to  her,  as  soon  as 
she  obtained  a  chance  to  teach,  she  insisted  upon 
paying  Martha  for  her  board.  This  was  the  family 
status  that  June  day  when  Stacy  burst  out  of  the 
woods  upon  her  so  suddenly,  and  one  cause  for  her 
first  apparent  dislike  of  him  arose  from  the  fact 
that  Martha  speedily  assured  her  that  he  must  be 
an  eligible  catch  for  a  husband  and,  "  if  she  knew 
her  business  she'd  set  her  cap  for  him  forthwith." 

To  "  set  her  cap  "  for  anybody  was  not  Hazel's 
way,  and  to  be  urged  to  do  so  by  a  stepmother  she 
hated,  was  even  worse.  "  I'm  not  running  after 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  153 

any  man  as  I've  known  some  shameless  women  to 
do,"  she  sarcastically  assured  Martha,  "  and  I  don't 
need  your  advice.  I  just  despise  any  woman  who 
will  do  such  a  thing."  Then,  having  discharged 
this  Parthian  arrow,  she  left  her. 

Another  and  more  serious  cause  for  distrust  of 
Stacy  came  intuitively  to  her  the  first  day  when 
Uncle  Asa  took  him  fishing,  and  was  due  to  her 
suspicion  that  he  was  another  Curtis  North,  and 
there  to  inveigle  some  one  in  some  swindling 
scheme.  His  unexpected  return  five  days  after  his 
departure  —  for  she  heard  of  it  the  night  he  ar- 
rived —  also  made  her  more  distrustful,  and  then, 
to  cap  the  climax,  came  an  assertion  from  this  cousin 
of  Molly  Bascom,  soon  after  Stacy  saw  these  two 
in  the  hammock. 

"Who  is  his  job  lots?"  this  Arthur  Penrose 
questioned  rather  flippantly  after  Stacy  had  raised 
his  hat  and  passed  on. 

"Oh,  it's  a  Mr.  Whipple  from  Albion,"  re- 
sponded Hazel,  indifferently.  "  He  was  here  last 
week  trout  fishing,  and  father  took  him  out.  I 
don't  know  anything  more  about  him,  or  care." 

"  I  saw  him  hanging  around  the  Barre  House  the 
past  four  days,"  Master  Arthur  rejoined,  "  and  once 
also  in  close  discussion  with  another  stranger  — 
two,  in  fact  —  down  by  the  docks.  One  was  a  big, 


154  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

pompous  fellow  with  white  side-whiskers.  His 
name,  I  found  out,  was  a  queer  one  —  Pentecost 
Curtis  —  and  he'd  been  loafing  around  Barre  a 
week." 

Then,  and  straightway,  Hazel  did  sit  up  and  take 
notice !  "  Did  he  have  a  red  face  —  a  big  fat 
man  — "  she  queried  anxiously,  "  and  wear  a  heavy 
gold  chain  and  big  watch  charm  ?  " 

"  Yes,  that's  him,"  returned  Arthur  cheerfully. 
"  A  regular  old  man  dude  with  stunning  togs. 
That's  what  made  me  look  him  up.  He  was  a 
whooper,  and  the  chap  with  him,  he  was  a  little 
monkey,  with  snaky  eyes  —  Mexican,  I  should  say. 
I  can't  imagine  what  they  were  in  Barre  for.  Put- 
ting up  some  scheme  with  this  chap  who  bowed  to 
you,  I  guess.  They  looked  the  part." 

The  fat  was  in  the  fire  now  and  blazing  merrily 
• — at  least  in  Hazel's  mind,  and  she  at  once  began 
to  ply  her  Barre  friend  with  all  manner  of  ques- 
tions anent  these  two  and  their  possible  errand  in 
Barre,  but  without  eliciting  any  more  facts  than 
had  been  vouchsafed  her.  With  unusual  feminine 
discretion,  also,  she  kept  her  suspicions  of  who  this 
Pentecost  Curtis  actually  was  to  herself,  and  Mr. 
Arthur  Penrose,  while  willing  enough  to  carry  gos- 
sip to  Oakdale,  and  insinuate  all  manner  of  evil 
things  against  a  man  who  even  bowed  to  Hazel  — 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  155 

whom,  by  the  way,  he  admired  intensely  —  was  de- 
prived of  any  chance  to  carry  news  to  Barre. 
Neither  would  she  or  did  she  ask  any  questions 
about  Stacy  now.  Not  from  any  sentimental  in- 
terest in  him,  for  none  had  come  to  her  so  far,  yet 
she  was  lofty  in  her  ideas  of  honor,  and,  therefore, 
Stacy,  having  once  broken  bread  in  her  tent,  so  to 
speak,  was,  or  must  be  considered,  a  friend  until 
actually  proven  otherwise. 

The  lawn  party,  or,  what  it  actually  was,  a  dozen 
of  Oakdale's  young  folk  gathered  to  help  entertain 
Miss  Molly  Bascom's  cousin,  soon  lost  its  attrac- 
tion for  Hazel.  She  was  too  anxious  to  see  her 
father  and  question  him  to  enjoy  anything  here,  so 
she  excused  herself,  and  made  ready  to  depart. 

"  I'm  coming  over  this  evening,  may  I  ?  "  Arthur 
whispered  at  the  gate,  and  a  smile  from  Hazel  at 
his  way  of  asking  and  cool  "  Yes,  if  you  won't  stay 
late,"  were  his  reward,  for  the  plain  fact  was,  that 
Mr.  Arthur  Penrose,  while  from  one  of  the  best 
Barre  families,  bored  Hazel  excessively.  She  had 
met  him  during  her  one  winter's  experience  of  social 
life  in  Barre,  had  danced  with  him,  been  escorted 
to  theaters,  he  had  visited  Oakdale  twice  before  — 
once  remaining  two  weeks,  while  a  common  friend, 
Miss  Jennie  Oaks,  was  sojourning  with  Hazel  — 
and  all  to  pay  court  to  Hazel.  It  had  availed  him 


156  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

but  little,  for  while  considered  "  a  nice  young  man," 
he  was  shallow  and  foppish,  smoked  cigarettes, 
which  Hazel  abominated,  and  she  therefore  barely 
tolerated  him.  And  now,  in  spite  of  her  distrust  of 
Stacy,  even  in  spite  of  this  new  revelation  of  his 
probable  duplicity,  she  was  forced  to  contrast  the 
two  men,  and  Stacy  lost  nothing  by  it.  Once  away 
from  the  lawn  party  this  peculiar  contradiction 
found  expression  quite  characteristic  of  her. 

"  Oh,  why  will  nice  manly  men  stoop  to  ways  that 
are  dark  and  tricks  that  are  vain?  "  she  said  to  her- 
self homeward  bound.  "  He  certainly  is  a  manly 
fellow,  his  eyes  haunt  me,  he  is  swayed  by  music, 
and  so  has  some  fine  sentiment,  and  he  is  so  fear- 
less !  Oh,  I  wish  I  didn't  have  to  distrust  him !  " 

Who  "  he"   was,  it  is  needless  to  assert. 

But  she  was  full  to  the  brim  with  suspicion  now. 
That  this  white-whiskered  man  whom  she  recalled 
so  vividly  and  his  nefarious  visit  to  Oakdale,  had 
now  been  seen  in  consultation  with  Stacy,  was 
proof  positive  of  the  latter's  being  another  such 
swindler,  and  his  visit  to  the  village  inevitably  must 
be  for  a  sinister  purpose.  And  early  that  evening, 
or  when  first  she  could  speak  to  her  father  alone, 
she  pounced  upon  him  like  a  young  hawk. 

"  Father,"  she  said  in  triumphant  tone,  "  you 
know  what  my  suspicions  of  that  Mr.  Whipple 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  157 

were,  or  what  I  said  of  him  —  well,  he  went  to 
Barre  from  here,  met  and  had  a  consultation  with 
that  Curtis  North  (now  calling  himself  Pentecost 
Curtis),  who  sold  you  that  mine  stock,  and  came 
back  to  see  you  again,  I  know,  for  Martha  says  he 
was  here  this  morning.  You  took  him  to  the  train 
I  am  sure,  and  —  and,  father,  there  is  some  game 
afoot  you  won't  tell  me  about.  Did  you  know  he 
went  to  Barre  to  meet  that  man  I'm  sure  is  a 
swindler?  " 

Then  Uncle  Asa's  face  took  on  one  of  his  benign 
smiles  and  his  eyes  twinkled. 

"  Girlie,"  he  said  tenderly,  yet  chuckling,  "  you've 
found  a  whangdoodle's  nest,  sure's  a  gun,  'n'  the 
old  bird's  on!  I  own  up.  I'm  caught.  I  hain't 
'zackly  bought  some  mine  stock,  I've  done  wuss,  I've 
swapped  the  hull  farm,  the  house,  'n'  B'ar  Hole 
Swamp  for  the  mine  itself ! " 

Then  he  chuckled  again. 

"  Come,  girlie,"  he  added  a  moment  later,  and  en- 
closing her  face  in  his  two  hands  —  a  way  with 
him  — "  can't  ye  trust  yer  old  dad  no  more  ?  Do  ye 
honestly  think  I'd  git  bit  by  the  same  snake  twice 
agoin'?  That  is  'lowin'  I  was  bit  by  that  mine 
stock,  which  ain't  sartin  yet  ?  Do  ye  honestly  think 
I  need  a  keeper  over  me,  girlie  ?  " 

"  Oh,    no,  no,     father,    I    don't,"    came    from 


158  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

Hazel  speedily.  "  Only  what  does  all  this  mean, 
and  did  you  know  that  North  man  was  in  Barre  to 
meet  Mr.  Whipple?  Oh,  tell  me,  please,  father." 

"  I'll  tell  ye  suthin  'most  gals  ez  sweet  ez  you  'ud 
like  better  to  know,"  he  responded.  "  That  is  if 
you'll  keep  mum.  Swar  to  goodness,  ye  will?" 

"  Yes,  yes,  father,"  again  in  anxious  tone,  "  what 
is  it?" 

"  Wai,  girlie  "  (more  tenderly  and  now  enclosing 
her  lithe  waist  with  one  arm),  "  thar's  a  nice  young 
feller  come  here  'bout  ten  days  ago,  saw  ye  fust  go 
off  up  under  the  big  pine  tree,  seen  ye  a  good  deal 
sense  'n'  he's  —  wal,  he's  fallen  plumb,  plunk  in 
love  with  ye,  all  over,  hook,  line,  bob,  'n'  sinker ! 
Thar  now,  what'd  ye  think  o'  that?  " 

Then  Hazel  grew  rose  red. 

"  Did  he  say  so  ?  "  she  queried,  quivering. 

"  Say  so !  "  ejaculated  Uncle  Asa  with  a  snort. 
"  Say,  girlie,  do  ye  s'pose  that  Whipple  feller  is  a 
plumb  gone  jibberin'  idjit  'n'  rapscallion  biled  into 
one?  He  hain't  said  nothin'  'cept  you  was  a  gal 
whose  smile  he'd  consider  ez  the  key  to  Heaven,  or 
suthin  o'  that  sort.  Oh,  you've  found  out  a  lot, 
but  thar's  more  comin' — mebbe  —  you  can't  even 
guess  now,  'n'  I  won't  tell  ye."  Then  and  much  to 
Hazel's  surprise,  he  stooped  suddenly  and  kissed  her. 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  159 

And  that  night  in  the  seclusion  of  her  room  and 
when  ready  for  Slumberland,  Hazel  held  com- 
munion with  herself.  Also,  and  at  the  same  time, 
surveyed  herself  in  her  small  gilt- framed  mirror  — 
too  small  to  do  justice  to  the  reflected  picture  that 
now  smiled  out  from  it.  And  her  rose-tinted  face, 
tender  eyes,  and  luxuriant  black  hair  like  a  flowing 
mane  half  enclosing  her  daintily  rounded  shoulders, 
white-draped,  made  a  picture  that  would  have  set 
Stacy's  heart  a-tingle  could  he  but  peeped  in  just 
then.  A  strangely  sweet  and  quite  new  mysticism 
also  added  a  thrill  to  her  own  pulses,  half  vexing, 
half  enchanting,  scarce  explainable.  And  was  this 
man,  this  bold  fellow  she  had  so  doubted  and  dis- 
trusted, yet  admired,  the  coming  Prince  Perfect 
ready  to  lay  his  heart  at  her  dainty  feet  for  her 
to  say  "  yes  "  to,  and  let  him  dominate  her  life  or 
else  reject,  as  she  now  felt  that  she  would  if  the 
chance  came?  And  what  was  the  meaning  of  her 
father's  hilarious  action?  In  all  the  years  of  their 
life  since  her  mother's  death  she  had  never  seen  him 
in  such  a  mood,  so  like  a  big  boy  ready  to  shout  and 
turn  handsprings  from  insane  joy.  And  what 
could  have  happened  so  to  upset  him  ?  What  magic 
spell  had  this  new  admirer  of  her  own  sweet  self 
woven  over  her  calm,  philosophic  father?  And 


160  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

right  in  the  face  of  a  discovery  of  her  own  that  she 
felt  was  prima  facie  evidence  of  this  young  man's 
guilt?  It  was  past  understanding! 

And  the  more  she  conned  the  situation  over, 
Stacy  Whipple's  visit  here,  his  open  admiration  of 
herself  —  pleasing  and  quite  natural,  his  going 
away,  mysterious  and  sudden  return,  pursuit  of  her 
father,  and  now  this  gay  turn  of  her  benign  parent 
all  combined  —  the  more  mysterious  it  all  seemed. 
And  why  should  this  young  man  first  disclose  his 
love  for  herself  to  her  father?  It  wasn't  the  usual 
way,  according  to  her  own  intuitions  and  the  story 
books.  No  harm,  of  course,  and  quite  honorable, 
yet  unusual.  But  there  was  something  beyond 
this,  some  other  development  more  astounding  than 
the  simple  one  of  an  admission  of  love  for  herself, 
she  was  sure.  She  had  never  been  one  to  question 
her  father's  moods  to  any  extent.  She  had  un- 
limited faith  in  his  good  sense  and  love  for  her- 
self, and  also  knew  that  her  stepmother  had 
proved  herself  a  thorn  in  his  side,  and  that  any 
inquiries  as  to  the  cause  of  his  moods,  had  better  be 
avoided.  She  believed  as  well  that  his  own  honesty 
and  confidence  in  others  had  been  taken  advantage 
of  by  this  swindler,  North,  and  why  might  it  not 
be  another  swindling  game  now  being  worked  by 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  161 

Stacy,  with  an  assertion  of  love  for  herself  as  a 
clinching  argument? 

During  the  call  of  Mr.  Penrose  that  evening,  he 
had  repeated  his  description  of  this  Pentecost  Cur- 
tis and  Otero  with  rather  vapid  assertions  about 
their  mission  to  Barre,  but  this  had  no  weight  with 
Hazel  now  beyond  the  fact  of  identity.  The  one 
crucial  mystery,  the  one  past  all  understanding,  was 
why  her  father,  knowing  her  suspicions  of  Stacy, 
should  yet  ignore  them  now  in  the  face  of  being 
assured  that  Curtis  North,  masked  as  Pentecost 
Curtis,  had  been  seen  in  consultation  with  him. 

It  is  needless  to  say  that  she  found  Slumberland 
far  distant  that  night,  and  so  worried  was  she  over 
this  problem,  that  she  tossed  and  turned  on  her 
pillow  for  hours,  unconscious  of  the  murmur  of  the 
near-by  brook  or  the  sweet  fragrance  of  the  bloom- 
ing lilacs  that  entered  her  open  windows.  While 
she  might  have  enjoyed  the  first  sweet  illusion  of 
love,  or  its  coming  to  tinge  her  dreams,  instead,  it 
was  the  ogre  of  duplicity  and  danger  to  her  father 
that  haunted  her. 

Three  days  after,  and  duly  delivered  to  her  by 
the  stage  driver,  Uncle  Levi,  came  the  package  of 
books  and  music  from  Stacy. 

"  It's  from  Albion,"  Uncle  Levi  asserted,  watch- 


162  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

ing  her  curiously.     "  Wa'n't  that  whar  that  young 
feller,  Whipple,  cum  from?  " 

"  I  am  sure  I  don't  know,"  declared  Hazel  inno- 
cently. "  I  never  asked  Mr.  Whipple  where  he 
came  from." 

"  I  s'pose  ye  know,  or  ye've  heard,"  he  added, 
"  somebody's  goin'  to  buy  B'ar  Hole  Swamp  'n'  dam 
it,  hain't  ye?  He  told  me  so,  anyhow." 

"  Oh,  yes,  I  heard  that  three  days  ago,"  returned 
Hazel  indifferently,  "  but  I  don't  believe  it."  Then 
she  hurried  to  her  room  to  open  the  package  as 
speedily  as  possible ;  also  with  trembling  ringers  and 
flushed  face  as  well,  for  she  knew  on  the  instant  who 
had  sent  it. 

And  one  day  later,  on  the  arrival  of  the  last  train 
from  Barre,  there  alighted  from  it  a  dapper  little 
chap  with  shifty  black  eyes,  mustache  waxed  to  two 
sharp  points,  garbed  in  light-grey  summer  suit,  tan 
shoes,  gray  spats,  and  carrying  a  cane  and  suit-case. 

"  It  ees  to  Oakdale  town  I  vish  to  go,"  he  said  to 
Uncle  Levi.  And  long  before  he  arrived  there  he 
became  fully  informed  by  that  worthy  talebearer 
of  several  pertinent  facts  and  the  intentions  of  some 
mysterious  persons,  as  Stacy  had  intended  that  he 
should  be. 

The  trap  was  now  well  baited  and  wide  open. 


CHAPTER  XIV 

SIX  years  of  the  inrush  of  gold  seekers  to  a 
mining  camp  is  like  a  generation  of  time 
towards  its  growth.  In  a  night,  almost,  it 
springs  up  like  Jonah's  gourd  or  a  mushroom ;  and 
from  the  cluster  of  the  crudest  sod  hovels  and  board 
shacks  Stacy  first  saw  Rawhide  to  be  —  now  as  he 
looked  upon  it  from  the  piazza  of  the  "  Hotel  Raw- 
hide "  that  morning  of  his  arrival,  he  beheld  a  mar- 
vel of  growth  and  change.  From  this  vantage  point 
at  the  upper  end  of  its  main  street  he  saw  handsome 
gray  stone  buildings  with  big  plate  glass  windows, 
and  architectural  in  design.  A  bank  with  pillars 
and  bastions  of  gray  marble  occupied  one  street  cor- 
ner, a  ten-story  iron  and  concrete  building  faced  it, 
the  spires  of  three  churches  —  one  upbearing  a  big 
gilt  cross,  evidently  Catholic  —  arose  from  the  med- 
ley of  structures,  the  white  globes  of  arc  lights  were 
in  ample  evidence  adown  the  vista,  and  trolley  cars 
could  be  seen  coming  or  going  upon  the  main  thor- 
oughfare. Beyond  and  across  the  canyon,  tiers  of 
dwellings  arose  along  the  base  of  the  mountain 
slope,  an  iron  bridge  crossed  the  brawling  stream, 
163 


164  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

shop  chimneys  peeped  up  from  its  bank,  and  a  busy, 
crowding  throng  of  humanity,  including  well- 
dressed  women,  were  everywhere  visible. 

For  an  hour  Stacy  surveyed  this  panorama  of 
amazing  growth  while  he  smoked  and  cogitated 
upon  the  phenomenon,  then  Harkins  came  up  to  the 
hotel. 

"  I'll  show  you  around  now,  Mr.  Whipple,"  he  as- 
sured Stacy,  and  nothing  loth  the  latter  joined  him 
in  a  tour  of  inspection. 

"  I  can't  locate  a  single  landmark,"  Stacy  ad- 
mitted after  a  half-hour  of  this,  "  not  even  the  spot 
where  the  one-story  saloon  stood  and  where  I  saw 
this  Curtis  North  and  his  pal,  '  Skim/  as  you  called 
him,  swapping  cards." 

"  There's  where  it  stood,"  replied  Harkins,  point- 
ing to  a  six-story  building  with  a  dry-goods  store 
occupying  an  entire  lower  floor,  "  and  Tom  Mc- 
Cue,  the  jolly  Irishman  who  ran  it,  owns  that  block 
and  is  worth  a  round  million  and  so  fat  he  can't 
run  or  fight.  All  he  does  is  collect  his  rents  and  tell 
stories  of  the  '  ould  days '  in  Rawhide.  He  is  a 
character  here,  with  a  memory  like  a  mirror  and  the 
deeds,  doings,  and  history  of  the  old  camp  crowd  at 
his  tongue's  end.  We  will  drop  into  Tim  Riley's 
saloon,  his  loafing  place,  and  I'll  introduce  you  as  a 
tourist  visiting  here. 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  165 

"  There's  where  the  cabin  stood  where  that  iminer 
was  found  dead,"  Harkins  said  five  minutes  later, 
on  a  side  street  and  pointing  to  a  pretentious  con- 
crete building  labeled  "  Odeon  Theater,  Vaudeville." 
"  And  here  is  the  watch  charm  your  man  North 
wore  that  fatal  night,"  he  added,  now  drawing  it 
from  his  pocket.  "  I  found  it  under  the  dead  man 
that  afternoon.  It  was  this  clue  and  the  fact  both 
North  and  Skim  had  hired  horses  at  two  o'clock  that 
morning  and  rode  to  the  station,  leaving  on  the  same 
train  you  came  on,  that  satisfied  me  they  were  par- 
ties to  the  murder.  The  two  women  took  the  stage 
leaving  here  then  at  about  seven  in  the  morning,  and 
the  killing  was  not  heard  of  until  that  afternoon,  or 
when  this  other  miner  came  to  and  crawled  out  of 
the  cabin." 

Stacy  took  the  massive  gold  buffalo-head  fob  now 
destined  to  play  so  important  a  part  in  his  plans,  and 
eyed  it  curiously.  It  was  crudely  made,  evidently 
filed  or  carved  from  a  lump  of  virgin  gold,  and  as 
conspicuous  and  vulgar  a  part  of  man's  adornment 
as  Curtis  North  himself  was  of  the  race  of  men. 
Doubtless,  also,  as  now  recurred  to  Stacy  in  an  in- 
stant, there  must  be  scores  of  men  in  Rawhide  who 
would  swear  to  having  seen  it  worn  by  Curtis  -North, 
if  that  was  necessary,  thus  adding  one  more  valua- 
ble fact  or  bit  of  evidence. 


1 66  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

"  Don't  lose  it,  Mr.  Harkins,"  he  cautioned  him, 
now  handing  it  back.  "  It  may  be  worth  ten  times 
its  weight  to  me  later  on." 

"  I've  kept  it  safe  for  almost  six  years,"  Harkins 
returned  smiling,  "  so  guess  I  can  keep  it  a  few 
months  more. 

"  Here's  where  McCue  loafs,"  he  added,  now 
leading  the  way  through  a  luxuriously  furnished 
bar-room  into  its  back  room,  and  here  were  two 
men  tilted  back  in  their  chairs  and  smoking  black 
clay  pipes.  One,  Stacy  recognized  on  the  instant  as 
the  redoubtable  McCue;  rotund  and  red-faced. 

A  "  Hullo,  Jim,"  from  him  to  Harkins,  as  he 
arose  and  the  two  shook  hands,  and  a  "  My  friend, 
Mr.  Whipple,  Mr.  McCue  and  Mr.  Casey,"  com- 
prised the  off-hand  greetings,  and  then  the  incomers 
sat  down. 

"  Mr.  Whipple  is  a  friend  of  mine  paying  Raw- 
hide a  flying  visit,  Tom,"  Harkins  next  explained, 
"  and  I  brought  him  here  to  call  on  you." 

"  Ony  frind  o'  yours  is  me  frind,  too,"  McCue 
responded,  now  rapping  on  a  small  round  table. 
"  Sarve  the  jintl'min,"  he  added  with  a  grandilo- 
quent handwave  to  the  barkeeper  who  came  at  his 
summons,  "  an'  the  bist  ye  hov." 

"  An'  so  ye  do  be  visitin'  the  town,  is  it  ?  "  he 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  167 

next  queried,  after  the  libation  and  relighting  his 
pipe.  "  Well,  it's  a  foine  city,  so  it  be,  but  dom 
dull  now.  Not  loike  the  ould  times  at  all,  at  all." 

"  I  was  here  about  six  years  ago  for  a  few  days," 
Stacy  asserted  in  response,  "  and  visited  your  place 
a  few  times." 

"  An'  did  ye  ? "  smiled  McCue",  much  pleased. 
"  Shure  that  was  foine.  Och,  be  jabers,  but  we  had 
g-r-reat  fun  those  days,  shure  we  did,"  he  continued. 
"  Not  a  week  but  someone  was  shot  or  sthrung  up 
by  the  b'ys  for  devilmint.  Ah,  but  those  toimes 
war  g-r-reat  for  sport.  Shure  I  had  two  kilt  in  me 
place  one  month,  so'  I  did,  but  it's  all  over  now. 
Nothin'  doin'  at  all,  sor,  but  ate  an'  slape  an'  pull  at 
me  pipe  all  the  day  long." 

Then  he  sighed  and  puffed  hard  at  his  pipe  to  get 
it  well  going  again. 

"  Do  ye  raycollect  the  little  Chink,  Jim,  we 
sthrung  up  one  mornin'?  "  he  again  continued  after 
the  pause,  "  the  little  monkey,  so  he  war,  who  put  a 
ball  into  Andy  O'Houlihan  jist  bekase  he  took  hi§ 
washin'  widout  payin'?  An'  how  we  forgot  to  tie 
his  hands  an'  the  cuss  got  holt  o'  the  rope  an'  climbed 
up  an'  the  b'ys  shot  him?  Ah,  but  thar  war  lively 
toimes  thin,  an'  money  so  plinty,  too.  Many  a  night 
I  tuk  in  two  hundred  dollars  in  me  place  jist  for 


i68  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

dhrinks,  an'  as  much  more  in  the  two  kitties.  But 
the  ould  toimes  is  gone  for  good,  an'  dom  dull  now, 
dom  dull." 

"  Do  you  remember  a  fellow  by  name  of  North, 
Curtis  North?"  Stacy  now  inquired,  smiling  at 
the  Irishman  who  so  enjoyed  shootings  and  lynch- 
ings.  "  A  chap  with  big  white  side-whiskers?  " 

"  An'  shure  I  .do,"  smiled  McCue,  cheering  up 
again,  "  an'  a  broth  ov  a  b'y  he  war,  too,  to  spind 
money,  jist  loike  it  war  brown  laves  an'  he  owned 
the  world.  But  he  wint  sour  over  a  couple  o'  wim- 
men,  so  he  did,  an'  lift  bechune  two  days.  Kilt  a 
man  for  'em,  didn't  he,  Jim?  A  Swede  be  the 
name  o'  Johnson,  an'  'most  kilt  another,  Olaf  Tyg- 
son,  wa'n't  it,  Jim?  " 

"  I  think  that  was  the  name,"  responded  Har- 
kins,  also  smiling.  "  Some  sort  of  a  -son.  They 
both  were  like  all  Swedes.  Do  you  know  what  has 
become  of  him?  " 

"  Oh,  he's  livin',  so  he  is,"  answered  McCue.     "  I 
saw  him  in  town  a  month  ago.     He's  up  to  Hump- 
'  back  now,  so  he  be." 

"  Do  you  have  any  idea  where  the  women  are  ?  " 
Stacy  next  queried,  cautiously.  "  That  is,  if  anyone 
wanted  to  find  them?  " 

"  Shure  I  don't,"  came  from  McCue,  now  eyeing 
Stacy  sharply,  "  an' —  an' —  axin'  yer  pardon,  sor, 


ONE,  STACY  RECOGNIZED  ON  THE  INSTANT. — Page  166. 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  169 

but  take  me  advice  an'  don't  be  chasin'  'em,  sor, 
widout  ye  want  to  lose  money  an'  lots  of  it,  sor. 
Them  sort  of  wimmen  do  be  the  divil's  own,  so 
they  be.  Lave  'em  alone,  Mister  Whipple,  lave  'em 
alone." 

Much  more  of  this  loquacious  Irishman's  dia- 
logue was  listened  to  by  Stacy  with  interest;  then, 
after  treating  in  turn,  he  and  Harkins  made  another 
tour  of  the  town  and  returned  to  the  hotel. 

"  It  looks  as  if  you  had  all  the  evidence  you 
need,"  Harkins  now  asserted.  "  This  Swede,  Tyg- 
son,  can  be  found  if  you  care  to  go  to  the  expense, 
and  we  can  take  him  east  to  confront  your  man, 
North,  if  you  wish.  My  idea,  however,  is  it  won't 
be  necessary  to  do  that.  It  all  depends  upon  what 
you  want  to  do,  Mr.  Whipple.  Is  it  law  and  justice 
you  want  meted  out  to  him,  or  just  force  him  to  give 
up  the  deed  you  explained  about?  Take  your 
choice ;  you  can  have  either  one,  but  not  both." 

"  I  know  that,"  admitted  Stacy,  stroking  his  mus- 
tache. "  But  —  but  —  I  want  to  think  it  over  be- 
fore deciding.  There  are  wheels  within  wheels  in 
this  affair,  and  mixed  up  in  the  game  is  a  handsome 
adventuress  I  once  admired,  now  intimate  with  your 
Greaser,  '  Skim,'  or  Otero ;  also  with  Curtis  North 
and  a  member  of  the  Barre  town  committee,  who 
are  obligated  to  pay  us  a  lot  of  money  in  the  near 


1 70  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

future.  Oh,  it's  a  merry  mix-up,  I  assure  you. 
The  one  thing  I  am  positive  about  is  that  I  don't 
want  to  make  a  personal  enemy  now,  or  any  more 
so  than  she  is,  of  this  handsome  adventuress  I  told 
you  about.  She  has  no  hold  on  me,  yet  you  know 
a  woman  like  that  can  make  things  mighty  unpleas- 
ant for  any  man  if  she  sets  about  it." 

"  Right  you  are,"  laughed  Harkins,  who  had 
traveled,  and  observed  many  things.  "  The  joker 
in  this  pack  is  the  woman  —  Carmen,  I  think  you 
said  her  name  was  —  or  rather  her  beauty  and  its 
pull  on  men  is  the  joker.  No,  Brother  Whipple," 
he  added  after  a  long  pause,  "  don't  play  any  game 
for  high  stakes  with  a  joker  in  the  pack.  It  isn't 
safe.  And  even  less  so  when  the  said  joker  is  a 
handsome  woman  without  a  scrap  of  honor." 

And  just  then  Stacy  thought  of  the  diamond 
bracelet  this  harpy  had  obtained  with  mate  to  it 
promised,  for  her  aid  to  "  do "  him,  and  grinned 
ruefully.  Also  kicked  himself,  metaphorically,  to 
think  how  he  once  had  been  made  so  many  kinds  of 
a  fool  of  by  his  admiration  of  "  La  Rosa." 

Hazel's  face  came  to  mind  at  this  juncture  as 
well,  and  the  fine  scorn  that  would  spread  over  it 
were  she  but  informed  how  he  had  once  pursued 
the  Carmen.  Innocently,  too,  as  a  matter  of  fact, 
and  yet  Hazel  would  never  believe  it  of  him  —  no 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  171 

woman  will  —  as  he  knew  full  well ;  and  then  an- 
other rueful  grin  came  to  his  lips,  for  none  of  us 
enjoys  the  predicament  of  being  wrongfully  be- 
lieved guilty,  yet  unable  to  prove  it. 

"  I  think,  Brother  Harkins,"  he  said  finally,  "  we 
will  go  a  leetle  slow  in  this  matter,  as  Uncle  Asa 
would  say.  I'd  like  to  see  justice  meted  out  to  this 
swindler  and  murderer  combined.  I  almost  feel 
that  I'd  enjoy  what  your  friend  McCue  admits  he  so 
often  did  —  a  lynching  bee  with  Curtis  North  as  its 
star  feature.  If  he  could  be  lured  to  this  town  and 
a  picked  committee  of  '  the  b'ys '  given  a  tip  to  do 
their  duty  it  would,  as  Col.  Sellers  said,  '  meet 
with  my  entire  approbation.'  But  I  don't  see  how 
it  can  be  done.  If  my  trap  scores,  and  you  and  I 
can  make  North  give  up  the  deed  I  suppose  he  has 
now  obtained,  I'll  spend  a  thousand  dollars  to  aid 
you  in  luring  '  his  whiskers '  to  Rawhide  and  — 
you  can  attend  to  the  rest.  But  from  my  viewpoint 
now  I  don't  want  to  be  mixed  up  in  it. 

"  I've  got  to  go  on  to  Seattle,"  he  added  after  a 
moment's  pause,  "  and  must  use  a  month  to  finish 
my  business  in  the  West.  In  the  meantime  I  wish 
you'd  hunt  up  this  Olaf  Tygson,  obtain  any  sort  of 
affidavit  you  think  best  from  him,  also  any  other 
corroborative  evidence  you  can  find,  and  when  I 
return  to  Rawhide,  as  I  shall  before  going  East,  we 


172  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

will  decide  how  to  act.  It  may  be  best  for  you  to 
go  on  with  me  and  land  this  villain  before  he  skips 
the  country." 

Then,  being  a  considerate  business  man,  he  wrote 
a  check  for  two  hundred  dollars  and  handed  it  to 
Harkins,  "  for  contingent  expenses,"  as  he  assured 
him. 

"  Your  town,  Mr.  Harkins,  with  its  marvelous 
growth  appeals  to  me  especially,"  Stacy  continued, 
changing  the  subject,  after  this  adjustment  of  their 
mutual  plans,  "  for  I  am  by  nature  an  air-castle 
builder  myself,  and  here  is  a  pertinent  example  of 
what  we  in  the  East  would  call  an  impossibility. 
Also  proof  positive  that  law,  order,  and  prosperity 
go  hand  in  hand.  Six  years  ago  Rawhide,  as  you 
assert,  was  practically  a  canker  spot  on  the  map  with 
a  few  hundred  greedy  gold-seekers  for  its  main 
population  and  workers,  with  perhaps  one  quarter 
as  many  thieves,  swindlers,  and  harpies  who  came  to 
prey  upon  them.  That  condition,  or  what  your 
friend  McCue  called  '  great  doin's  wid  lynchin's  an' 
shootin's  ivery  wake  or  two,'  lasted  but  a  short 
while,  then,  presto!  law  steps  in,  away  go  the  evil 
spirits,  the  law-breakers,  and  a  well-ordered  and 
well-behaved  town  springs  up  in  place  of  the  pest 
house  of  vice  it  once  was.  You,  also,  with  your 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  173 

Vigilance  Committee  backing,  are  entitled  to  much 
of  the  credit  as  well." 

"  Yes,  a  little,  maybe,"  responded  Harkins  mod- 
estly, "  and  the  same  law  and  order  will  in  due  time 
clean  out  and  purify  all  mining  camps,  I've  noticed. 
All  it  needs  is  to  have  the  organization  of  public 
sentiment,  string  up  a  few,  and  the  rest  fall  over 
themselves  to  get  away,  as  they  did  from  here." 

"  How  would  it  work  if  this  Curtis  North  was 
to  set  foot  in  Rawhide  now  ?  "  interrupted  Stacy, 
castle  building  again.  "  Would  you  and  your  back- 
ers decide  a  lynching  bee  about  the  right  welcome 
for  him?" 

"  Oh,  I  could  fix  it,  maybe,"  smiled  Harkins, 
"  but  it  wouldn't  be  necessary.  We  have  a  law 
court  now." 

"  Yes,  and  lawyers  to  quibble  and  fight  prosecu- 
tion and  defeat  justice  just  as  long  as  a  criminal's 
money  lasts,"  responded  Stacy,  who  had  had  experi- 
ence with  the  clan. 

"  That  is  true,"  admitted  Harkins,  smiling  again, 
"  but  I  suppose  lawyers  are  a  mixed  evil  from  a 
percentage  basis.  That  is,  allowing  that  one  in  five 
is  strictly  honest  and  would  not  knowingly  defend 
an  actual  criminal  no  matter  how  fat  the  fee." 

"  Put  it  one  in  ten  and  I'll  accept  the  amend- 


174  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

ment,"  interjected  Stacy,  who  was  more  of  a  cynic. 

"  And  now  and  then  an  innocent  man  needs  de- 
fense," continued  Harkins,  "  so  we  do  need  lawyers 
after  all." 

"  Yes,  perhaps  in  a  few  cases,"  asserted  Stacy, 
"  but  what  we  need  more  is  a  higher  standard  of 
professional  honor  among  them  —  those  who  would 
refuse  to  defend  anyone  they  had  reason  to  believe 
was  guilty.  As  it  is,  not  one  in  ten  but  that  will 
lock  his  conscience  in  the  safe  and  fight  justice 
tooth  and  nail  so  long  as  a  criminal's  money  lasts." 

When  Stacy  left  Rawhide  the  next  day  he  car- 
ried away  two  distinct  impressions:  First,  of  its 
marvelous  growth  and  purification  from  a  rude 
mining  camp  where  vice  and  crime  of  every  grade 
ruled  supreme,  to  a  prosperous,  well-behaved,  and 
properly-governed  town  with  churches,  a  library, 
and  law  and  order;  the  other,  its  picturesque  loca- 
tion at  the  apex  of  a  triangular  valley  surrounded 
by  sharply-defined  mountains,  between  two  of  which 
opened  a  winding  gorge,  and  adown  which  leaped 
and  cascaded  a  sizable  stream  called  The  Hump- 
back. Timber  —  fir,  spruce,  and  larch  of  primal 
growth  —  covered  all  foothills ;  the  stream  was  lim- 
itless for  the  production  of  power;  gold-bearing 
quartz  was  the  basic  feature  of  the  mountain,  and  so 
herein  and  hereabout  lay  all  the  rudiments  needed 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  175 

for  a  prosperous  mining  town  such  as  had  already 
started.  And  now  as  all  this  crystallized  in  his 
mind  and  became  a  fixed  picture,  back  to  Oakdale 
he  leaped  in  thought  and  to  the  city  soon  to  spring 
up  at  the  bidding  of  another  stream  —  the  Rocky 
Glen  brook,  with  a  snug  harbor  and  the  white  wings 
of  commerce  to  add  impetus.  Here  was  no  lawless 
camp  to  overcome  and  purify.  Instead,  here  lay  a 
fertile  valley,  already  tilled,  and  a  community  of 
simple-minded,  God-respecting  farmers  of  pure 
blood  and  honest  minds,  to  start  his  city  aright. 
And  here,  also,  dwelt  a  keen-witted,  sweet-faced 
little  maid,  whose  mind  was  beyond  her  years  and 
who  had  sprung  out  of  the  shadow  of  obscurity  like 
a  bewitching  fairy  to  touch  his  heart  with  the  magic 
wand  of  love,  and  perhaps  become  the  queen  of  his 
future  life. 

And  now,  once  more  on  board  a  main  line  Pull- 
man train  and  speeding  further  westward,  somehow 
he  began  to  feel  himself  in  the  lilac  and  syringa- 
shaded  porch  in  Hazel  Dell  once  more,  to  smell  the 
mingled  fragrance  of  that  sequestered  spot,  and  to 
hear  the  murmuring  brook  and  Hazel's  auto-harp 
again. 

"  In  love  ?  "  you  ask  once  more. 

Yes,  very  much  so  now.  In  fact  so  much  so  that 
no  peace  and  no  rest  for  his  air-castle-building  spirit 


176  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

was  possible  unless  this   occult  little   fairy   queen 
shared  it. 

In  the  meantime,  Curtis  North,  alias  Pentecost 
Curtis,  and  Otero  must  be  reckoned  with. 


CHAPTER  XV 

AS  Sam  Walter  Foss  has  so  impressively  said, 
"  There  are  pioneer  souls  that  blaze  their 
path  where  never  highway  ran."  And 
Stacy  Whipple's  was  such  a  one.  There  are,  also, 
other  pioneer  souls  not  as  sensible  and  idyllic  as  his 
who  blaze  their  way,  not  as  he  did  in  the  skies,  but 
underground.  And  Curtis  North  was  possessed  of 
one.  From  the  very  outset  of  his  life  as  a  well- 
educated  son  of  a  Puritan  father,  he  had  found  liv- 
ing by  his  wits  and  imposing  upon  the  credulity  of 
others  an  easy  matter.  Beginning  as  a  peddler  of 
quack  nostrums,  he  had  taken  to  being  advance 
agent  for  a  circus,  then  to  running  a  side  show  as 
part  of  that,  together  with  the  usual  gambling  de- 
vices used  to  fleece  the  unsophisticated.  Next,  he 
became  manager  of  a  branch  bucket  shop  in  a  small 
city,  with  a  poker  club  as  an  adjunct,  and  finally, 
with  ample  means  gathered  in  these  various  indus- 
tries, he  had  drifted  westward  to  Rawhide,  met  and 
attached  to  himself  one  Leon  Otero,  as  unscrupulous 
and  keen-witted  a  gambler  as  he,  and  organized 
The  Rawhide  Gold  Mining  and  Reduction  Company 
177 


178  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

in  legal  manner  and  of  alluring  prospectus,  and  thus 
armed  and  equipped  had  returned  East  to  a  more 
civilized  country  to  sell  stock  and  devour  the  un- 
wary. 

But,  like  many  another  bumptious  and  successful 
gambler,  he  sighed  for  new  people  to  conquer, 
greater  schemes  to  manipulate,  and  a  wider  scope 
for  swindling.  To  this  end  and  purpose  he  came 
to  New  York,  and  to  that  Mecca  of  all  greatest 
gamblers,  Wall  Street.  Here,  with  an  office  in  the 
name  of  "  Curtis  &  Company  "  in  a  building  devoted 
to  such,  he  had  just  established  himself  when  along 
came  a  "  tip,"  as  he  would  call  it,  that  led  him  to 
Barre.  He  did  not  go  to  Oakdale,  for  obvious  rea- 
sons., however.  He  had  been  there  once  as  Curtis 
North  and  carried  away  a  mere  trifle  of  about  five 
thousand  dollars  as  reward  for  a  month's  pleasure 
sojourn.  Anyhow,  that  was  not  necessary.  He 
now  had  a  side-partner  of  as  keen  wits,  if  less 
money,  who  could  do  as  well  —  even  better  —  since 
to  facilitate  such  swindling  he  was  now  posing  as 
the  ostensible  agent  for  a  steamship  company  whose 
business  was  the  importation  of  emigrants  from 
various  European  countries. 

And  be  it  said,  criminals  of  all  classes  and  both 
sexes  were  just  as  welcome  to  them  as  honest  people, 
so  long  as  the  price  was  forthcoming. 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  179 

Not  for  long  did  Curtis  North  —  now  and  for 
five  years  masked  as  Pentecost  Curtis,  the  given 
name  of  which  had  been  his  father's  —  remain  in 
Barre.  It  was  neither  prudent  nor  necessary,  and  so 
having  hatched  the  plot  that  was  adroitly  and  also 
legally  to  make  the  firm  of  Bemis,  Colby  &  Com- 
pany pay  well  for  a  reservoir  site  they  needed,  he 
left  the  details  to  be  worked  out  by  his  tool,  Otero, 
and  hied  himself  away  to  New  York. 

Here,  in  line  with  his  new  vocation  and  ambition, 
he  began  to  lay  plans  for  another  swindling  scheme, 
which  was  the  broad  and  comprehensive  one  of 
organizing  a  stock  company  to  buy  up  and  reclaim 
a  few  thousand  acres  of  worthless  marsh  land  on 
the  Passaic  river  above  Newark.  To  this  end  he 
first  set  about  obtaining  a  charter  under  the  com- 
plaisant laws  of  New  Jersey.  He  secured  next  a 
suitable  chart  or  map  of  the  lands  in  question,  with 
a  prospectus  in  connection  therewith,  setting  forth 
in  glowing  terms  the  ostensible  object  of  the  com- 
pany and  plans  and  dividends  sure  to  be  paid.  This, 
also,  he  knew,  was  the  trump  card  sure  to  take  the 
trick  of  the  gullible  public's  money.  It  had  worked 
successfully  in  the  Rawhide  swindle,  and  while  not 
all  of  that  capital  stock  had  been  sold  before  its 
master  spirit  grew  wary,  changed  his  name,  and 
abandoned  it,  enough  had  been  converted  into  cash 


i8o  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

to  give  him  means  to  carry  out  a  fourfold  greater 
one. 

But  the  carrying  out  of  this  new,  larger,  and  more 
plausible  scheme  must  take  more  time.  Surveys 
and  maps  must  be  made  and  men  hired  to  make 
them.  A  few  business  men  of  minor  prominence 
and  some  reputation  for  honesty  must  be  cajoled 
and  persuaded  to  allow  the  use  of  their  names  — 
given  stock,  of  course,  as  payment.  Printers'  ink 
and  lithographers'  aid  were  to  be  called  in,  and 
many  lesser  details  attended  to.  The  plan  and 
proposition  must  also  wear  the  guise  of  legality, 
and  once  hatched  and  under  way,  some  land  must 
actually  be  bought,  more  secured  for  possible  need 
by  the  attainment  of  options,  and  everything 
apparently  done  from  honest  intent  and  purpose. 
The  firm  of  Curtis  &  Company,  Mills  Building, 
Wall  Street,  were,  of  course,  reputable  business 
men!  Pentecost  Curtis,  a  well-to-do  financier 
whose  experience  and  money  was  back  of  and  in 
this  philanthropic  scheme  to  furnish  low-cost 
building  lots  and  home  sites  for  the  working  class 
of  an  overcrowded  city!  Why,  to  be  sure,  they 
were,  as  everything  in  the  prospectus  must  assert; 
and  beyond  that,  no  loophole  must  be  left  whereby 
if  the  plan  failed  any  disgruntled  investor  could 
take  legal  action  against  the  immaculate  and  honor- 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  181 

able  firm  of  Curtis  &  Company!  Not  for  one  mo- 
ment! That  would  be  preposterous! 

And  so  Pentecost  Curtis,  fat,  sleek,  suave,  smooth- 
spoken, always  well-garbed,  and  living  luxuriously 
at  a  prominent  hotel,  stroked  his  flowing  side- 
whiskers,  smoked  choice  cigars,  took  an  occasional 
flyer  in  the  stock  market  to  keep  in  touch  with  men 
whose  names  he  might  need  later,  and  assured 
every  one  he  became  at  all  intimate  with  that  stock 
speculation  was  after  all  too  risky  for  him  to  follow, 
and  that  the  more  stable  one  of  investment  in  and 
improvement  of  suburban  property  promised  safer 
and  more  certain  returns. 

And  it  did  —  to  him. 

He  did  not  fear  ever  meeting  one  of  those  he  had 
swindled  as  Curtis  North,  or  any  outcome  from  the 
debauch  that  had  cost  a  poor  miner  his  life.  That, 
after  all,  was  only  an  episode  common  enough  in  the 
lawless  camp  where  it  happened,  where  a  gambler 
shot  over  a  card  table,  or  a  red-handed  desperado 
strung  up  on  the  nearest  tree  was  an  incident  forgot- 
ten in  a  week.  If  ever  accused  of  connection  with 
this  orgie  of  drink  and  robbery  he  could  brazenly 
deny  his  identity,  he  was  sure,  and  force  its  belief. 
Only  two  factors  or  connecting  links  ever  troubled 
him.  The  first,  his  whiskers  so  noticeable,  also  so 
consoling  to  his  vanity;  he  had  even  thought  best 


182  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

at  the  time  he  changed  his  name  to  shave  them  off, 
but  so  satisfying  were  they  to  his  own  self-approval 
that  he  could  not  do  so.  The  other  and  less  dan- 
gerous link  was  the  lost  watch  fob  he  had  not 
missed  that  fatal  night  until  too  late  to  return  and 
look  for  it.  That  it  had  been  taken  possession  of 
by  one  of  the  women  he  was  positive  —  they  were 
the  sort  who  kept  all  they  got,  no  matter  how  ob- 
tained —  and  he  was  almost  certain  that  this  valua- 
ble lump  of  gold  had  long  ago  vanished  in  some 
melting  crucible.  So  far  as  his  connection  with 
The  Rawhide  Gold  Mining  Company  was  con- 
cerned, and  the  many  he  had  induced  to  buy  stock, 
it  never  troubled  him  one  iota.  There  were  so 
many  others  like  it,  organized  wherever  gold  was 
mined  or  oil  found,  that  were  as  specious,  that  one 
more,  or  his  own,  only  proved  him  to  be  in  the 
wide-spread  game  of  swindling  gullible  investors 
who  deserved  no  pity  since  they  only  bought  from 
the  belief  that  they  were  to  receive  fabulous  returns. 
He  was  not  afraid  to  go  to  Oakdale,  either,  or  to 
meet  Uncle  Asa.  He  would  have  assured  that  con- 
fiding "  Rube,"  as  he  thought  him  to  be,  that  Raw- 
hide stock  was  all  right,  the  mine  being  developed 
slowly  but  surely,  and  that  it  sooner  or  later  would 
pay  big  dividends.  He  would,  so  conscienceless 
was  he,  and  possessed  of  so  much  brazen  impudence, 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  183 

have  set  out  to  sell  even  Uncle  Asa  more  stock,  also 
others,  only  for  one  fact ;  that  for  certain  unfortunate 
reasons  he  had  decided  to  leave  Rawhide  in  haste 
and  change  his  name.  There  was,  also,  one  other 
fla\v  besides  whiskers  in  his  defensive  armor  and 
that  the  hastily  adopted  first  name,  Curtis,  as  the 
last  one  of  his  alias.  While  keen  and  quick  enough 
when  it  came  to  swindling  others,  in  this  case  his 
occultism  slipped  a  cog,  so  to  speak,  and  left  a  dan- 
gerous similarity  of  name  to  anyone  who  had  both 
seen  him  and  heard  his  original  one  often  enough 
to  fix  it  in  mind.  He  fancied  himself  secure,  how- 
ever, had  ample  means  to  live  well,  also  carry  out 
any  new  scheme  requiring  some  investment,  and  as 
the  prosperous  capitalist  he  now  practically  pro- 
claimed himself  to  be,  was  armed  and  equipped  to 
resent  any  insinuation  to  the  contrary. 

"  Money  will  buy  all  things  —  lawyers,  juries, 
judges,  the  whole  shooting  match,"  he  would  say  to 
himself  reassuringly  when  a  little  lurking  fear  of 
retribution  crept  into  his  feelings,  as  it  now  and  then 
did.  "  Business  is  only  a  game  of  robbery,  high  or 
low,  and  all  around,  from  peanut  stands  to  the 
Standard  Oil  Trust.  I've  got  the  price  of  self- 
defense  any  time,  there  is  no  proof  of  anything 
against  me  —  not  even  that  I  was  in  the  cabin  the 
night  that  stupid  Swede  fell  downstairs  and 


184  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

cracked  his  own  skull  —  so  the  public,  the  whole 
push,  can  go  chase  themselves  for  all  I  care." 

He  little  thought  Nemesis  in  the  guise  of  his  own 
unscrupulous  scheming  was  even  now  pursuing 
him,  with  Stacy  Whipple  adding  inspiration. 


CHAPTER  XVI 

THE  one  ruling  ambition  of  Landlord  Sam 
Gates's  life  outside  of  providing  for  his 
limited  number  of  guests  was  to  play  prac- 
tical jokes,  and  his  keen  Yankee  shrewdness,  knowl- 
edge of  human  nature,  and  plausible  speech  served 
him  well  at  this  rather  invidious  game.  Of  course 
he  had  exhausted  his  possibilities  of  deceiving  any 
of  Oakdale's  residents  long  before  Stacy  was  so 
adroitly  steered  into  Bear  Hole  Swamp,  so  new- 
comers were  all  that  Sam  could  vent  his  peculiar 
talent  upon.  And  so  it  came  to  pass  that  when 
Uncle  Levi  drove  up  to  Sam's  hostelry  one  after- 
noon just  after  supper  time,  and  a  dapper  little  dude 
with  much-waxed  mustache,  with  cane  and  small 
suit-case,  alighted,  Sam  eyed  him  with  much  the 
same  feelings  that  a  hawk  would  eye  a  brood  of 
young  chickens.  Business,  however,  came  first 
with  Sam,  so  he  at  once  proceeded  to  take  care  of 
so  well-dressed  an  arrival  in  his  most  urbane  man- 
ner, assigned  and  showed  him  to  the  best  front  room, 
asked  what  he'd  like  cooked  for  supper,  invited  him 
to  take  a  nip  while  waiting  for  it,  and  as  soon  as  Mr, 


i86  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

Leon  Otero  had  been  relegated  to  the  care  of  the 
high  priestess  of  the  dining-room,  Sam  returned  to 
the  piazza  and  the  Old  Guard  there  gathered  to  con- 
sider matters  generally. 

"  Who  is  he  ? "  queried  Bascom,  usually  the 
spokesman  of  their  retinue.  "  A  drummer?  " 

"  No-o,"  drawled  Sam,  "  too  slick-lookin',  'n'  too 
fussy.  Wanted  the  shutters  shut  fust  thing  in  his 
room,  'n'  a  key  for  the  door.  Said  he  didn't  like  to 
leave  his  things  'thout  bein'  locked  up.  He  ain't  no 
drummer.  They  don't  wax  their  mustaches  'n'  look 
like  they  come  out  o'  a  bandbox." 

"Fisherman?"  hazarded  Lazy  Luke,  who  in- 
variably guessed  wrong.  "  You'll  start  him  into 
B'ar  Hole  if  he  is,  I  s'pose?  " 

"  Mebbe,"  returned  Sam  with  a  half-smothered 
chuckle  at  the  thought  of  so  alluring  a  prospect. 
"  That  is  if  he's  goin'  to  stay  long  'nuff,  'n'  kin  be 
persuaded." 

And  so  it  came  to  pass  when  the  new  arrival  re- 
turned to  the  piazza,  sat  down  and  lighted  a  ciga- 
rette, there  were  five  there,  each  ready  to  cooperate 
to  make  his  visit  to  Oakdale  as  pleasant  as  possible 
—  for  themselves. 

"  Is  this  your  first  visit  here,  Mr.  Otero  ?  "  in- 
quired Sam  politely  by  way  of  a  beginning. 

"  It  ees,"   answered   Otero,   looking  around  the 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  187 

scattered  village,  "  and  a  so  much  smaller  town  than 
I  haf  heard." 

"  Sellin'  goods,  I  s'pose,"  was  the  next  remark 
of  the  adroit  Sam. 

"  No,  I  haf  come  on  ze  business  of  my  company, 
not  to  sell  something,"  returned  Otero  evasively. 

"  Buyin'  land  mebbe,"  persisted  Sam  unabashed. 
"  I  heerd  some  company  was  plannin'  to  put  up  a 
big  dam  here,  'n'  build  a  shop." 

Then  Mr.  Leon  Otero  turned  his  snaky  eyes  on 
Sam  and  smiled  wisely.  "  I  am  not  to  tell  what  my 
company  haf  planned,"  he  answered  suavely,  "  I  am 
to  look  around." 

"  O'  course ;  sartin',  sartin',"  replied  Sam  sooth- 
ingly, "  only  I  heerd  your  company  was  goin'  to  buy 
B'ar  Hole  Swamp,  'n'  figgered  you  was  here  to  do 
it." 

"  Ees  this  swamp  you  call  ze  bear's  hole  ze  right 
spot  for  a  dam  ?  "  inquired  Otero  with  a  satisfied 
smile. 

"  None  better,"  asserted  Sam,  unconsciously  play- 
ing Stacy's  game.  "  In  fact  Natur  just  riz  hills  all 
'round  it  ez  ef  on  purpose  fer  a  dam.  That's  what 
the  other  feller  who  looked  it  over  said,  anyhow. 
I  s'pose  he  war  from  your  company,  too,  eh  ?  His 
name  was  Whipple.  You  know  about  him,  I 
s'pose  ?  " 


i88  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

"  I  know  him,  yes,"  admitted  Otero,  smiling 
again,  "  and  I  shall  look  ze  swamp  over  myself. 
Who  is  it  owns  ze  land  ?  " 

"  Oh,  it's  Uncle  Asa's,  Asa  Webster's,  'n'  he  lives 
jist  below  it  on  the  brook,"  vouchsafed  Sam  speed- 
ily, "  'n'  I  cal'late  he'd  sell  it  cheap.  'Tain't  wuth 
much  fer  anything  but  a  pond.  You  want  to  look 
it  over,  f oiler  the  brook  down  through,"  he  added 
eagerly,  "  'n'  mebbe  ketch  a  mess  o'  trout  to-morrer, 
eh  ?  I  kin  rig  ye  up  'n'  take  ye  to  the  head  on't  in 
the  mornin'  if  ye  like." 

And  having  thus  paved  the  way  for  his  own  pet 
practical  joke  and  almost  pushed  Otero  into  the  trap 
set  for  him  by  Stacy,  Sam  smiled  with  serene  satis- 
faction. To  add  more  bait  for  his  own  trap  also, 
he  now  began  to  extol  the  merits  of  Bear  Hole 
Brook  as  a  trout  stream,  and  to  tell  what  big  ones 
were  often  caught  in  it,  and  how  Mr.  Otero  would 
probably  enjoy  a  day  of  rare  sport  on  the  morrow. 

"  I  haf  not  fished  for  ze  trout  for  many  years," 
the  victim  declared  next  morning,  when  duly  fitted 
out  with  a  pair  of  Sam's  boots  too  big  for  him,  and 
a  pair  of  Sam's  trousers  large  enough  to  turn 
around  in,  he  was  conveyed  by  that  worthy  to  where 
Bear  Hole  Brook  crossed  the  highway  above  the 
swamp.  He  still  wore  his  own  silk  outing  shirt, 
jaunty  tie,  high  collar  and  straw  hat,  however,  and 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  189 

with  creel  and  rod  of  Sam's  lending,  it  is  needless  to 
say  he  presented  a  ludicrous  appearance. 

"  You've  got  the  greatest  day's  sport  you  ever  had 
ahead  o'  ye,"  Sam  now  asserted,  turning  his  horse 
around,  "  'n'  'bout  four  miles  on't.  You'll  find  a 
leetle  brush  o'  course,  but  don't  mind  that.  Thar's 
whar  ye'll  find  the  biggest  trout,  too.  I  cal'late 
you'll  fill  yer  basket  by  noon  'n'  then  you  want  ter 
keep  right  on.  Foller  the  brook  'n'  it'll  fetch  ye; 
right  out  by  Uncle  Asa's,  'n'  then  ye  kin  dicker  with 
him  'bout  buyin'  the  swamp  fer  a  pond,  if  that's  yer 
errand  here.  I  s'pose  the  other  feller's  kinder 
paved  the  way  fer  the  deal,  mebbe?  Uncle  Asa's 
got  a  darter,  too,  perty  gal,  she  is,  ez  anywhere 
about,  'n'  ef  ye  make  good  time  'long  the  brook 
she'll  cook  ye  a  mess  o'  trout  fer  dinner  if  ye're 
kinder  slick  at  coaxin'.  She's  sweeter'n  peaches  'n* 
cream,  too,  she  is,  'n'  ain't  got  no  beau."  And 
having  thus  baited  and  opened  his  own  trap  most 
effectually,  Sam  drove  away  leaving  Otero  to  his 
fate. 

Once  well  away  and  out  of  sight  around  a  bend 
in  the  road,  however,  Sam  exploded  in  a  burst  of 
laughter. 

"  Got  him  hooked  good  'n'  fast,  I  cal'late,"  he  ex- 
claimed, shaking  with  its  continuation,  "  'n'  when 
he  gits  down  whar  them  Mohawk  briars  is  thickest 


190  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

'n'  black  flies  busy  —  wal,  if  he's  got  any  cuss  words, 
thar'll  be  suthin  said." 

Then,  and  still  chuckling  with  suppressed  laugh- 
ter, he  drove  on. 

i  It  was  seven  A.  M.  of  that  hot  July  first  morning, 
when  Mr.  Leon  Otero,  half  of  him  looking  the  im- 
maculate dude  with  legs  in  two  bags,  jointed  his 
rod,  baited  his  hook,  lit  a  cigarette,  and  plunged  into 
this  almost  impassable  swamp.  It  was  five  P.  M. 
when  that  same  occult  schemer  and  wily  villain 
emerged  from  this  morass,  both  boots  left  buried 
in  some  slough  hole,  his  bag-like  pants  torn  and 
black  with  mud,  his  silk  shirt  in  shreds,  collar,  tie, 
and  hat  missing,  and  creel  and  rod  left  somewhere 
in  the  swamp.  One  eye  was  closed  from  the  sting 
of  a  hornet,  his  face,  neck,  and  hands  black  from 
swamp  mire,  or  streaked  with  bloody  scratches,  also 
swollen  from  thousands  of  vicious  black-fly  bites, 
and  he  was  barely  able  to  crawl.  He  had  lost  all 
points  of  the  compass  after  following  the  winding 
stream  a  half-mile  and  not  daring  to  leave  it,  con- 
scious of  being  turned  around,  had  kept  on,  sure 
that  the  only  way  of  escaping  the  swamp  alive  was 
to  stick  to  the  stream. 

'  "  I  vas  'most  dead,  my  God,  sir !  "  he  exclaimed, 
finally  emerging  from  the  pine  thicket  and  finding 
Uncle  Asa  raking  hay  on  a  hillside  meadow.  "  Oh, 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  191 

I  haf  had  ze  one  hell  time  to  git  out  ze  swamp,  sir," 
he  moaned,  now  sinking  to  earth,  exhausted,  "  ze 
awful  time  as  never  vas." 

"  Wai,  ye  look  the  part,"  ejaculated  Uncle  Asa, 
eyeing  him  keenly  and  instantly  conscious  that  this' 
dapper,  woe-begone  specimen  of  humanity  was  the 
man  he  had  been  anxiously  awaiting  now  for  five 
days.  "  Been  through  B'ar  Hole  Swamp,  I  car- 
late,"  he  added.  "  Who  might  ye  be?  " 

"  My  name  is  Otero,"  Sam's  victim  responded 
weakly,  "  and  you  vas  ze  man  ze  landlord  call  Uncle 
Asa,  vas  you  ?  " 

"  Yaas,  that's  me,"  drawled  Uncle  Asa,  now  on 
guard  and  beginning  to  rake  hay  again  as  if  the 
arrival  of  this  fellow  was  of  no  interest.  He  kept 
on  raking,  too,  a  few  rods,  and  then  Otero  called  to 
him  again. 

"  I  am  so  tired  I  cannot  walk  back  to  ze  hotel," 
he  said  meekly,  "  and  I  vill  pay  you  if  you  vill  take 
me  back.  Vill  you  ?  " 

Then  Uncle  Asa  halted  his  raking  and  looked 
back  at  Otero  hesitatingly.  He  knew  his  errand 
here,  knew  also  that  Sam  had  sent  him  into  Bear 
Hole  Swamp  —  his  inevitable  joke  on  all  strangers 
—  but  now,  nervous  as  he  was  over  what  this  fel- 
low's errand  meant  to  him,  the  joke  lost  its  point. 

"  I  dunno  but  I  might,"  he  admitted  finally,  now 


192  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

returning,  to  where  Otero  sat.     "  It's  hayin'  time, 
'n'  I'm  perty  busy,  though." 

"  I  vill  pay  you,  sir,"  Otero  responded  still  more 
meekly,  "  pay  you  veil,  only  I  can't  valk  no  longer 
now." 

Then  Uncle  Asa,  Good  Samaritan  still,  in  spite  of 
his  abhorrence  of  this  trickster,  as  he  knew  him  to 
be,  invited  him  down  to  the  house  and  gave  him 
opportunity  to  wash  his  mud-blackened  face  and 
hands,  harnessed  his  horse,  and  conveyed  him  back 
to  the  village. 

"  How  much  I  do  owe  you  ? "  Otero  queried 
when  they  drew  up  at  the  hotel. 

"  Not  a  cent,"  Uncle  Asa  responded.  "  I  jest 
fetched  ye  back  out  o'  pity  fer  a  feller  ez  badly 
busted  ez  you  war." 

"  I  am  to  come  and  see  you  to-morrow,"  Otero 
responded,  after  thanking  Uncle  Asa.  "  It  ees  to 
talk  business." 

"What  business?"  demanded  Uncle  Asa.  "I 
am  too  busy  hayin'  to  talk  much  with  anybody." 

"  Why,  I  vish  to  buy  some  land  of  you,"  returned 
Otero  meekly  still.  "  Perhaps  I  buy  ze  tam  swamp 
that  so  near  killed  me  to-day." 

"  Wai,  ye  needn't  come  on  that  'count,"  returned 
Uncle  Asa  brusquely.  "  'Taint  fer  sale  or  rather 
thar's  'nother  feller  ez  hez  got  a  call  on't."  Then 


ZE  AWFUL  TIME  AS  NEVKK  VAS.*' — Page  191. 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  193 

having  thus  taken  trick  number  one  in  the  game  of 
diamond-cut-diamond,  he  halted  his  nag  with  an 
out-turned  wheel  and  awaited  his  passenger's 
alighting. 

"  But  I  vill  come  to  see  you,"  reiterated  Otero 
after  stepping  out.  And  then,  without  a  word  of 
response,  Uncle  Asa  drove  away  fully  conscious  he 
had  his  enemy  at  bay,  at  least. 

"  I'll  give  Sam  a  slap  on  the  back  fer  playin'  B'ar 
Hole  on  that  little  cuss,"  he  ejaculated  when  well 
away  from  the  hotel.  "  It  sarved  him  right,  the 
hyena." 

"  Wai,  whar's  my  basket  V  boots  V  fish  pole?  " 
demanded  Sam  with  well-simulated  severity  a  mo- 
ment later  as  Otero  limped  up  the  piazza..  "  Ye 
look's  though  ye'd  bin  run  through  a  threshin'  ma- 
chine 'n'  chucked  in  a  mud  hole  arter  that.  Did  — 
did  ye  ketch  any  trout  ?  " 

Then  Leon  Otero,  the  foppish  little  Mexican, 
conscious  of  his  own  ridiculous  appearance,  and 
seeing  from  the  broad  grins  now  spreading  over 
Sam's  and  the  Old  Guard's  faces  that  he  had  been 
made  the  target  of  a  practical  joke,  grew  pale  with 
suppressed  anger,  while  his  snaky  eyes  glittered. 

"  Sacre,  what  you  t'ink,  I  one  tarn  fool  to  be  sport 
for  you  ?  I  —  I  could  kill  you !  "  he  snarled.  Then 
vanished  inside  and  up  to  his  room. 


194  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

He  appeared  a  half  hour  later  (most  of  which 
had  been  spent  by  Sam  in  suppressing  his  laughter), 
looking  more  presentable,  also  in  better  temper. 
And  then  Sam,  having  enjoyed  his  joke  thoroughly, 
set  about  mollifying  his  guest. 

"  I  was  afeared  you  mightn't  bring  back  much  of 
a  string,"  he  said  soothingly  and  suppressing  his 
inward  laughter,  "  so  I  sent  one  o'  the  boys  out  to 
ketch  some,  Jn'  I've  got  a  nice  mess  cooked  fer  ye. 
A  joke's  a  joke,  so  come  into  the  barroom  'n'  hev  a 
drink  on  me,  'n'  call  it  square.  I  won't  charge  ye 
nothin'  fer  the  boots  'n'  fishin'  tackle  ye  left  in  the 
swamp.  How'd  ye  come  to  lose  'em?"  Then, 
and  unable  to  restrain  his  merriment  longer,  he 
burst  into  laughter  again. 

"  B'ar  Hole  is  a  perty  tuff  spot,"  he  added  a  mo- 
ment later,  setting  an  array  of  bottles  out  upon  the 
bar  counter,  "  'n'  we  allus  interduce  it  ez  one  o'  the 
pints  o'  int'rest  here  to  newcomers.  I  did  to  your 
partner  —  I  s'pose  —  the  other  feller  who  come  to 
look  things  over,  'n'  he  come  out  head  up;  worrit 
some  but  smilin'."  Then,  having  thus  established 
peace  and  ushered  his  guest  into  the  dining-room, 
he  returned  to  the  piazza. 

"  That  little  cuss  takes  a  joke  'bout  ez  a  boy  does 
pepper  tea,"  he  now  asserted  to  the  Old  Guard 
awaiting  him,  and  laughing  again.  "  I'm  out  a  pair 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  195 

o'  boots  'n'  fishin'  tackle,  but  'twas  wuth  it,  by 
gosh,"  and  he  shook  with  another  spasm  of  laugh- 
ter. "  I'd  a  gin  a  fiver  on  top  o'  the  boots  to  'a* 
seen  him  'bout  the  time  he  got  out,"  he  added,  "  'n' 
to  'a'  heard  him  cuss.  I  cal'late  them  little  Spanish 
fellers  kin  cuss  some  when  they  git  started,  too." 

Mr.  Leon  Otero  did  not  favor  Sam  and  the  Old 
Guard  with  much  of  his  company  that  evening, 
however,  for  though  mollified  by  the  drink,  and 
excellent  supper  of  fried  trout  and  strawberries,  his 
pride  had  received  a  painful  wound  and  he  nursed  it 
in  his  room  with  continuous  cigarettes.  He  was, 
however,  sure  that  this  hill-bordered  swamp  he  had 
floundered  through  was  the  dam  site  Bemis,  Colby 
&  Company  wanted,  that  a  minimum  offer  for  it 
had  been  made  to  the  farmer  who  owned  it,  and 
that  he  was  in  ample  time  to  obtain  possession,  and 
make  them  pay  smartly  later  on. 

The  one  fortuitous  feature  of  this  game  was  that 
the  stage  driver,  accepting  Stacy's  hints  as  facts, 
had  talked  of  nothing  else  except  the  plan  to  buy 
Bear  Hole  Swamp  by  someone;  Sam,  anxious  to 
play  his  joke,  had  forgotten  to  mention  Rocky  Glen 
brook,  so  Otero  had  no  knowledge  of  its  existence. 

The  next  morning,  well-garbed  and  serene  once 
more,  he  started  for  Uncle  Asa's. 


CHAPTER  XVII 

WHILE  Uncle  Asa  had  feared  himself  un- 
able to  cope  with  this  emissary  of  that 
arch-swindler,  Curtis  North,  his  first 
meeting  with  him,  so  mud-splashed  and  woe-begone 
from  an  all-day  contest  with  Bear  Hole  Swamp,  had 
assured  him  he  was  only  an  ordinary  mortal,  an 
unscrupulous  thief  no  doubt,  yet  not  one  to  be 
feared  in  the  open,  or  in  a  contest  of  bargain- 
making.  Uncle  Asa's  over-night  preparation  also 
stood  him  in  hand,  so  he  resolved  and  felt  that  he 
could  be,  as  he  would  put  it,  "  independent  as  a  pig 
on  ice." 

He  trusted  Stacy,  too,  especially  after  what  had 
passed  between  them,  trusted  his  good  sense  and 
judgment  also,  and  felt  that  his  measure  of  this 
Curtis  North  and  what  his  tool,  Otero,  would  say 
and  do,  also  pay  for  Bear  Hole  Swamp,  was  an 
accurate  one.  And  so  it  came  to  pass  that  July 
morning  when  he,  swinging  his  scythe  in  a  meadow 
below  the  house  and  alongside  the  lane,  saw  Otero 
turn  into  it,  leap  the  fence  and  advance  to  him, 

196 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  197 

Uncle  Asa  was  well  prepared  for  the  bargain- 
driving  contest  now  at  hand. 

He  halted  his  scythe-swinging  as  Otero  neared 
him,  looked  up,  nodded,  said  "  Good  mornin'  "  in 
chilly  tone,  and  awaited  developments. 

"I  haf  come  to  see  you  as  I  said  I  vould,  Mr. 
Vebster,"  Otero  asserted  after  his  return  "  Good 
morning  "  and  obsequious  bow,  "  and  to  make  vith 
you  a  price  on  zat  swamp  you  call  ze  bear's  hole 
if  you  vill  sell  it." 

"  Want  to  live  thar,  do  ye?  "  returned  Uncle  Asa, 
grinning,  as  he  thrust  the  end  of  the  snath  into  the 
soil  and  leaned  upon  his  scythe.  "  I  should  a 
thought  ye'd  got  'nuff  o'  that  tangle-hole  yisterday ; 
ye  looked  like  it  anyhow." 

"  Oh,  I  did,  it  ees  a  tarn  hole,"  asserted  Otero 
with  a  shrug.  "  An'  ze  flies,  ze  brambles,  an'  ze 
mud  eat  me  up-." 

"  'N'  ye  want  to  buy  it,  eh  ?  "  grunted  Uncle  Asa 
half  scornfully.  "  Yew  can't  be  right  in  your  attic, 
yew  want  a  keeper  put  over  ye,  yew  do!  " 

"  But  I  vill  buy  it  if  you  make  ze  price  low,  it 
iees  of  no  value  I  vas  sure,  a  tam  mud  hole." 

"Wuss'n  that,"  grinned  Uncle  Asa.  "  Thar's 
snakes  in  it,  too,  red  adders  'n'  rattlers,  hundreds 
on  'em.  I  can't  see  how  ye  missed  gittin'  bit,  must 


198  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

be  they  didn't  like  the  looks  o'  ye ;  snakes  air  kinder 
p'ticular,  though,  sometimes." 

"  An'  you  t'ink  zey  no  bite  me  for  zat  reason?  " 
responded  Otero,  trying  to  smile  while  his  eyes 
snapped. 

"I- didn't  say  so,"  drawled  Uncle  Asa,  "only 
snakes  is  perty  cunnin'  critters,  'n'  I  never  knowed 
o'  their  bitin'  one  'nother." 

For  a  long  moment  the  glint  in  Otero's  eyes  de- 
noted anger  at  this  sarcasm,  then  he  conquered  it. 
"Vill  you  set  a  price  on  ze  swamp  an'  woods  be- 
low ?  "  he  asked  almost  haughtily.  "  I  haf  come 
here  to  buy  it." 

"  Wai,  then  ye  kin  hike  right  away  on  the  next 
train,"  returned  Uncle  Asa  sharply,  "  fer  'tain't  fer 
sale,  not  a  foot  on't,  not  even  a  snake." 

"  But  you  vill  sell  it  at  some  price,  von't  you  ?  " 
queried  Otero,  anxiously. 

"Wai,  yaas,  I'll  take  a  million  dollars  fer't," 
drawled  Uncle  Asa,  grasping  his  scythe  again. 
"  Fetch  me  that  in  real  money,  'n'  I'll  talk  with  ye. 
I  hain't  time  now.'* 

Then  Otero  experienced  a  sense  of  being  thrown 
against  a  brick  wall,  for  he  had  not  planned  on  any 
such  reception.  He  was  also  smarting  from  Uncle 
Asa's  sarcastic  shots  about  snakes,  and,  all  in  all, 
was  decidedly  nonplussed  and  rapidly  getting  angry. 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  199 

And  when  a  bargain-driving  man  so  loses  himself, 
he  is  gone. 

"  I  haf  come  to  buy  zat  swamp  at  a  fair  price," 
this  one  now  reiterated  crustily,  "  an'  I  vill  gif  you 
five  t'ousand  dollars  for  it  all,  an'  ze  wood  land 
below,  all  of  it." 

"  'N'  I'll  take  forty  thousand,  'n'  throw  in  the 
snakes,"  returned  Uncle  Asa  as  sharply,  "  so  put  that 
in  yer  pipe  'n'  smoke  it.  I  hain't  time  to  swap  guff 
with  ye.  I've  got  mowin'  ter  do,"  and  Uncle  Asa 
began  to  swing  his  scythe  again. 

Then  Otero,  exasperated  by  this  farmer's  sar- 
casms and  discomfited  by  his  blunt  refusals  to  con- 
sider what  he  thought  an  exorbitant  price  for  the 
swamp,  began  to  take  counsel  with  himself,  sure 
also  that  a  much  higher  bid  than  his  had  been  made 
by  the  other  parties,  or  else  the  swamp  actually 
bought  by  them.  But  he  had  come  with  positive 
orders  from  his  backer  to  buy,  had  brought  ten 
thousand  dollars  in  large  bills  with  him,  and  the 
"  Old  Rube,"  as  he  thought  Uncle  Asa  to  be,  who 
held  the  key  to  this  game  of  extortion,  was  now 
two  rods  away,  and  swinging  his  scythe  as  if  his 
customer  were  of  no  more  account  than  a  snake 
in  this  horrible  swamp.  And  the  more  Otero,  the 
vain  fop  and  sharper  combined,  dwelt  on  Uncle 
Asa's  insolent  references  to  snakes,  the  more  angry 


200  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

he  grew.  But  he  was  wise  enough  to  conceal  it 
now. 

"  I  vill  make  you  one  more  offer,"  he  said,  now 
following  after  Uncle  Asa,  "  I  gif  you  six  t'ou- 
sand  for  ze  swamp." 

"  Nary  six  fer  me,  nothin'  doin',"  returned  Uncle 
Asa  exasperatingly,  as  he  kept  on  mowing. 

"  I  vill  make  it  seven  then?  " 

"  Nix,"  with  a  shake  of  the  head. 

"I  vill  say  eight  then.     Vill  you  take  that?" 

"  No,  I  won't,"  snapped  Uncle  Asa,  now  halting 
and  facing  around,  sure  he  had  the  game  won. 

"Vill  you  name  a  price  you  vill  take?"  came 
from  Otero,  almost  desperate  now.  "  Some  price 
in  reason  ?  " 

Then  Uncle  Asa  glanced  up  and  down  the  five- 
foot  or  a  trifle  more  of  snake-eyed,  wax-mustached 
fop  before  him  contemptuously.  "  Ef  you'll 
promise  never  to  set  foot  in  this  'ere  town  agin," 
he  drawled  slowly,  "  I'll  set  a  price  fer  the  swamp 
'n'  wood  lot  below  it,  cash  down,  real  money,  no 
checks,  'n'  ef  ye  don't  take  it  right  off  the  spot,  I'll 
run  ye  off  my  land  'fore  ye  kin  say  boo!  I  won't 
dicker  with  ye  a  minute !  " 

"Veil,  vat  is  it?"  came  from  Otero,  while  his 
eyes  glittered  at  the  insult. 

"  It's  nine  thousand  five  hundred,  and  not  a  dern 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  201 

cent  less,"  came  from  Uncle  Asa,  "  'n'  say  yes  now 
or  git!" 

"  I  vill  gif  it  when  you  hand  me  ze  deed  re- 
corded," snarled  Otero. 

"  I'll  meet  ye  at  Squire  Phinney's  in  jist  two 
hours  all  ready,"  admitted  Uncle  Asa,  then  turned 
and  swung  his  scythe  again  as  if  this  bargain  was 
no  more  to  him  than  the  sale  of  a  load  of  hay. 

And  Otero,  the  dapper  little  dude  and  snake  in 
the  grass,  turned  and  left  him,  feeling  himself  to  be 
about  what  he  was,  though  angry  all  over. 

Through  all  his  various  and  very  crooked  career 
so  far,  he  had  never  been  so  humiliated  or  insulted 
as  now,  and  the  very  recent  trick  of  Sam's  was  a 
part  of  the  combined  outrage. 

When  once  well  out  of  sight,  Uncle  Asa,  who  had 
covertly  watched  Otero  depart,  now  threw  his  scythe 
aside,  and  made  a  bee-line  for  the  house. 

Someone  else,  no  less  a  person  than  Hazel,  had 
also  been  watching  this  interview  from  an  ambush, 
and  met  him  as  he  leaped  over  the  lane  fence. 

"  What  is  that  little  puppy  back  here  again  for?  " 
she  demanded  anxiously,  "  for  I  know  it's  the  same 
chap  you  took  up  to  the  village  yesterday.  Oh, 
father,  there  is  some  trick  being  played  on  you  I 
am  sure ! " 

Then  Uncle  Asa  gave  the  much-worried  Hazel 


202  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

another  exhibition  of  emotional  insanity,  for  he 
grasped  her  and  threw  her  up  on  his  shoulders, 
gave  a  hop,  skip,  and  jump,  then  lowered  the 
struggling  form,  kissed  her  face  hit  or  miss  four 
times,  and  set  her  down. 

"  Kingdom's  'most  come,"  he  almost  shouted. 
"  Don't  say  a  word  to  Martha.  Keep  mum.  I'm 
goin'  to  the  village,  'n'  want  ye  to  meet  me  half  way 
thar  jist  two  hours  from  now  on  the  sly,  'n'  keep 
whist  all  the  time."  Then  he  hurried  into  the 
house,  up  to  his  room,  unlocked  an  ancient  oak 
chest,  found  the  original  deed  of  the  Bear  Hole 
Swamp  land,  put  on  a  clean  shirt,  and  hastened 
away  to  the  village.  He  set  the  squire  at  work 
filling  out  a  deed  to  Mr.  Leon  Otero,  residence 
blank,  summoned  Sam  for  witness  to  his  own  sig- 
nature (forgetting  that  his  wife  must  also  sign  with 
him),  made  both  Sam  and  Squire  Phinney  swear  to 
inviolate  secrecy  regarding  this  important  act,  and 
by  the  time  Otero  appeared  a  half-hour  later,  the 
deed  that  was  to  play  so  peculiar  and  far-reaching 
a  part  in  Oakdale's  history,  also  of  the  heart  annals 
of  Miss  Hazel  Webster,  was  ready  for  him.  And 
so  anxious  was  he,  apparently,  to  get  the  business 
consummated  and  depart,  the  wily  Otero  never  no- 
ticed that  Mrs.  Asa  Webster's  signature  was  missing. 
The  money,  all  in  fifty  and  one  hundred  dollar 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  203 

bills,  was  counted  both  by  the  Squire  and  Uncle 
Asa;  as  a  matter  of  ordinary  politeness  they  all 
shook  hands  with  Otero,  and  he  hastened  across  the 
street  to  the  hotel. 

And  this  brief  but  exciting  visit  to  Oakdale  was 
the  first  and  last  one  ever  made  by  him! 

"  He's  got  Uncle  Levi  to  take  him  up  to  the 
noon  train  west,"  Sam  stated  after  Otero  had  left 
the  Squire's  office.  "  The  little  cuss  don't  jist  like 
our  sort  o'  folks,  I  cal'late." 

"  Nor  B'ar  Hole  Swamp  either  I  guess,"  added 
Uncle  Asa.  "  He  war  the  wust  busted  pup  I  ever 
seen  when  he  fetched  out  on't  yesterday,  thanks  to 
you,  Sam." 

"  Wai,  the  feller  was  puttin'  on  too  many  airs, 
V  lookin'  too  slick  to  suit  me,"  returned  Sam,  "  so 
I  jist  thought  I'd  gin  him  the  Entered  Apprentice 
degree,  'n'  take  him  down  a  trifful.  But  what  the 
devil  does  he  want  o'  B'ar  Hole  Swamp,  'n'  how'd 
ye  make  him  pay  sich  an  ungodly  price,  Uncle  Asa  ? 
'Twas  'most  highway  robbery !  " 

Then  Uncle  Asa  looked  at  Sam  while  a  broad 
grin  spread  over  his  face. 

"  Thar's  a  woodchuck  in  the  haymow,  Sam,"  he 
said  slowly,  "  'n'  I've  got  holt  o'  his  hind  leg. 
Thar's  suthin  else  I  got  holt  on,  Sam,"  he  continued, 
smiling  even  more,  "  jist  you  go  over  'n'  fetch  me 


204  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

that  sartificate  o'  mining  stock  you've  got  framed 
'n'  I'll  gin  ye  zackly  five  hundred  for't  now." 

"  No,  I  won't,  Uncle  Asa,"  Sam  answered 
bluntly,  "  fer  it  looks  like  the  mine's  struck  it  rich 
'n'  I'll  keep  the  stock." 

"  All  off,  nothin'  doin'  then,"  returned  Uncle  Asa, 
laughing  heartily.  "  Offer's  only  good  this  minute, 
not  to-morrer." 

Much  more  of  this  cheerful  badinage  was  ex- 
changed between  these  three  old  cronies,  then  after 
waiting  until  he  saw  Otero  depart  so  that  he  couldn't 
be  waylaid  by  him  when  homeward  bound,  Uncle 
Asa  left  the  village.  Half  way  home,  and  as  he  ex- 
pected, he  found  Hazel  awaiting  him  beneath  a 
roadside  apple  tree. 

"  Hooray,  girlie,  hooray,  hooray !  "  he  shouted, 
now  running  up  and  enclosing  her  in  his  arms. 
"  Kingdom's  come,  'n'  I've  got  the  money !  It's 
yours,  every  cent  on't,  nine  thousand  dollars,  'n'  it's 
goin'  into  the  Barre  bank  to-morrow,  hooray! 
Come  kiss  your  old  fool  dad  jist  once  now ! " 

Then  and  after  this  unique  exhibition  of  feeling, 
he  drew  the  roll  of  bills  from  beneath  his  shirt, 
handed  it  to  Hazel,  choked,  bit  his  lips,  turned  away, 
and  two  tears  stole  down  his  wrinkled  face. 

"I'm  a  derned  old  fool,  ain't  I,  Hazel?"  he 
added,  now  laughing  again.  "  But  I  was  'nuff  fer 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  205 

that  little  weasel  that  tackled  me  this  mornin',  'n' 
— 'n'  the  man  that  sent  you  the  books  'n'  you've 
been  skeered  on  all  'long  put  up  the  job  to  save  your 
money  by  sellin'  B'ar  Hole  Swamp  to  that  little  rat 
you  watched  with  me.  Thar  now,  will  ye  b'lieve 
he's  wuth  trustin',  or  won't  ye?  " 

"  I'll  believe  anything  to  see  you  so  happy, 
father,"  came  from  Hazel,  embracing  and  kissing 
him  again.  Then  she,  too,  began  to  laugh  with  wet 
eyes. 

And  now  the  feminine  sex  asserted  itself. 

"  Is  —  is  that  Mr.  Whipple  coming  to  Oakdale 
soon,  do  you  know,  father?  " 

"  I  dunno's  he'll  ever  come  agin,"  answered  her 
father  vaguely.  "If  I'd  ben  treated  by  a  gal  ez  you 
did  him  I  wouldn't  chase  her  'nother  rod.  I  don't 
much  think  you'll  ever  set  eyes  on  him  agin." 

"  Then  what  you  said  about  his  admiring  me  must 
be  all  nonsense,"  the  keen-witted  girl  returned,  "  or 
else  he  will  come  again.  Any  man  worth  thinking 
twice  about  can't  be  choked  off  by  one  rebuff.  And 
I  didn't  repulse  him;  was  just  cool,  that's  all." 

"  Wuss'n  that,  jist  turned  your  back  on  him  that 
day  down  to  the  shore  'n'  let  him  whistle  fer  com- 
pany while  ye  gals  cut  sticks,"  asserted  her  father, 
smiling  at  his  well  beloved  and  only  child.  "  I 
watched  ye  from  out  pullin'  pots.  But  I  ain't  wor- 


206  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

ryin'  'bout  him  a  minute,"  he  added  after  a  pause. 
"  That  feller  don't  need  no  keeper  over  him  ez  you 
thought  I  did.  His  head's  level,  you  kin  bet,  'n'  he 
ain't  a  mite  skeered  o'  little  gal  like  yew,  he  ain't. 
'N'  now,  Hazel,  let's  set  down  'n'  count  that  roll  o' 
money,  you  'n'  I.  I  want  the  comfort  of  fmgerin' 
Kingdom  Come  jist  once  more,  slow  'n'  easy." 

Then  down  under  the  apple  tree  he  squatted  with 
Hazel  beside  him  to  enjoy  what  he  never  had  before 
in  his  life,  and  never  expected  to  enjoy  again  —  the 
counting  of  so  much  money  all  by  himself,  slowly, 
and  to  enjoy  the  sensation. 

"  I  think  I  did  a  perty  slick  trick  to  make  that 
snaky  little  Mexican  gin  up  so  much,"  he  asserted 
after  the  counting,  "  'n'  I  tucked  on  five  hundred 
jist  to  square  Sam  for  his  mine  stock.  Also  as  pay 
for  sendin'  this  chap  into  the  swamp  ez  Sam  did. 
It  tuckered  the  cuss  out,  'n'  gin  me  the  nicest  sort 
o'  chance  to  sass  him,  'n'  I  did,  too !  Hain't  had  so 
much  fun  since  I  had  the  measles."  And  Uncle 
Asa  laughed  again  in  boyish  enjoyment  of  his  meet- 
ing with  and  getting  the  better  of  Otero. 

"  Mr.  Whipple  put  the  job  up,"  he  continued 
after  this.  "  War  doin'  it  the  day  that  popinjay 
friend  o'  yours  from  Barre  saw  him,  when  he  come 
here  agin,  and  chased  me  down  to  the  shore,  'n* 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  207 

'splained  jist  how  this  Otero  ud  show  up,  'n'  how 
to  tackle  him. 

"  'N'  now,"  he  added,  watching  Hazel's  face 
sharply,  "  Mr.  Whipple's  gone  out  West  whar  In- 
juns is  thicker'n  flies  in  B'ar  Hole  Swamp,  'n'  most 
likely  he'll  get  scalped.  I  don't  s'pose  you  care 
though." 

Then  Hazel  glanced  at  her  father's  impassive  face 
while  a  new  sensation  tingled  in  her  feelings,  for 
she  read  his  thoughts  like  an  open  book. 

"  I  am  sorry  I  mistrusted  him,"  she  answered  de- 
murely. "  I  will  tell  him  so,  too,  when  he  comes 
again,  and  —  and  I  understand  you  hope  he  will 
ask  me  to  marry  him,  father  ?  " 

"  Not  less  you  like  him  'nuff  to  go  barefoot  if 
he  asks  ye  to,  girlie,"  returned  her  father  soberly. 
"  Gittin'  married  is  the  whole  o'  your  life,  Hazel, 
'n'  till  one  or  t'other  is  laid  away,  'n'  ye  must  go 
keerful,  mighty  keerful,  I  tell  ye.  I  like  Mr. 
Whipple.  I  did  the  fust  go  off,  'n'  he's  proved  him- 
self square's  a  brick.  It's  up  to  you,  though, 
whether  you  like  him  or  not.  All  I  kin  tell  ye  is  he 
said  he'd  walk  a  good  many  miles  jist  to  win  one  o' 
your  smiles,  'n'  said  it  outen  his  heart,  too." 

Then  Hazel  grew  rose-red  again  for  somehow 
this  man's  eyes  had  haunted  her  for  many  days. 


208  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

"  I  ain't  goin'  to  worry  a  mite  'bout  you  two," 
Uncle  Asa  continued,  smiling  at  the  telltale  color 
on  Hazel's  face.  "  Only  jist  'bout  this  money  now. 
It'll  stay  next  to  my  skin  till  I  git  to  Barre  to- 
morrow, 'n'  then  it  goes  into  the  bank  in  your 
name.  I'd  go  to-night,  only  the  bank's  closed  when 
I  git  than  I  don't  think  I'll  sleep  a  wink  till  it's 
in  the  bank,  though.  Now,  let's  go  home." 

Once  there,  and  acting  nervously,  as  he  now  did,, 
it  was  not  long  ere  Martha's  suspicions  were  aroused 
by  both  his  and  Hazel's  peculiar  conduct  and  she 
began  to  question  first  Hazel,  then  Hazel's  father. 
From  the  former  she  obtained  no  satisfaction,  how- 
ever, as  might  be  expected,  and  not  until  evening 
was  any  obtained  from  Uncle  Asa. 

"  You  are  keeping  something  from  me,  Asa,"  she 
demanded  of  him  rather  tartly  when  the  chance 
came  and  Hazel  away,  "  and  now  I  mean  to  know 
what  it  is!  What  was  that  little  man  here  for 
this  morning,  and  why  did  you  change  your  shirt 
'n'  hurry  up  to  the  village  right  after  him,  I  want 
to  know?  And  Hazel,  too,  after  you,  'n'  gone 
'most  three  hours!  What  have  you  been  doing? 
I've  a  right  to  know,  'n'  I  want  to  know  now ! " 

Then  Uncle  Asa  looked  at  his  much-disliked  bet- 
ter half,  calmly  and  serenely. 

"  I  had  business  with  that  man,"  he  explained 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  209 

slowly,  "  'n'  went  up  town  to  git  paid  some  money 
he  owed  me,  that's  all." 

"How  much?"  demanded  Martha  in  rasping 
voice. 

"  Oh,  a  few  thousand  dollars,"  answered  Uncle 
Asa,  a  queer  suspicion  flashing  into  his  mind. 
"  Why  do  ye  want  to  know,  Martha  ?  " 

"  And  you've  got  it  with  ye?  " 

"  Sartin,  'n'  mean  to  keep  it  with  me,  too,  till 
I  go  to  Barre  to-morrow." 

"  No,  you  won't,  Asa  Webster,"  replied  his 
spouse  viciously,  "  nothing  of  the  sort !  Some- 
body'11  break  into  the  house  'n'  rob  you  to-night  if 
you  do !  " 

"What'll  I  do  with  it  then?"  returned  Uncle 
Asa,  calmly  scanning  her  face. 

"  Why,  hide  it,  of  course,  where  I  hide  money 
when  we  leave  the  house  —  under  that  loose  brick 
in  the  front-room  fireplace,"  almost  commanded 
Martha,  "  then  it'll  be  safe." 

And  then  the  sinister  suspicion  in  Uncle  Asa's 
mind  became  almost  a  certainty. 

"  I'll  do  it,  Martha,"  he  answered  meekly,  "  do 
it  jist  to  please  ye,  the  last  thing  'fore  I  go  to  bed. 
It'll  be  safe  'miff  on  me  till  then,  I  cal'late." 

And  that  evening,  sitting  along  on  the  embowered 
front  porch  and  smoking  his  cob  pipe,  as  was  his 


210  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

custom  summer  evenings,  back  to  him  came  the 
evil  look  that  he  had  detected  in  Martha's  eyes  when 
admitting  he  had  so  large  a  sum  of  money.  He 
also  recalled  her  miserly  ways  during  the  few  years 
of  their  life  together,  her  reputation  previously,  how 
every  dollar  given  her  by  him  or  taken  in  from  sale 
of  eggs,  poultry,  or  anything,  vanished  like  water  in 
sand  and  nothing  to  show  for  it;  how  their  table 
was  scrimped  to  the  most  meager  of  food,  Hazel's 
board  payments  also  disappearing  the  same  way, 
and  many  other  suspicious  occurrences. 

"  I  don't  like  that  sharky  look,"  he  muttered 
softly  to  himself  now.  "  Thar's  suthin  brewin', 
that's  sartin !  You're  cal'latin'  to  git  holt  o'  that 
money,  Martha  Baker!"  So  disturbing  was  this 
suspicion,  he  arose  suddenly  and  started  down  the 
lane.  At  its  foot  and  out  of  sight  from  his  house, 
he  halted  and  glanced  up  at  the  starlit  sky. 

"  Curis,  curis,"  he  said  to  himself  again,  "  how 
the  love  o'  money'll  make  thieves  'n'  lunatics,  'most, 
out  o'  folks.  I  hate  to  b'lieve  it  o'  you,  Martha,  but 
you're  plannin'  to  steal,  my  God,  you  be,  'n'  it's 
the  end  o'  you  'n'  I!  The  end,  the  end!  Mebbe 
it's  better  so,  too,  fer  Hazel !  It's  been  hell  for  her 
all  'long,  'n'  I  sha'n't  miss  ye,  not  a  minute ! " 

Then,  overwrought  with  the  shameful  horror 
of  what  he  now  believed,  a  cold  sweat  moistened  his 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  211 

face  and  hands;  he  started  rapidly  across  the 
meadow  to  his  boathouse,  lit  a  small  lamp  he  kept 
there,  cut  a  few  dozen  strips  of  brown  paper  the  size 
of  bills,  rolled  them  up,  put  a  ten-dollar  one  on  the 
outside,  tied  the  roll  with  a  bit  of  fish  line,  and  re- 
turned to  the  lane. 

At  its  foot,  and  much  to  his  joy,  he  met  Hazel. 

"  Thank  God  ye  come  out,  girlie,"  he  whispered 
with  trembling  voice  and  grasping  her  arm.  "  I 
war  so  wantin'  to  see  ye  'lone." 

"  Why,  what  is  it,  father  ?  "  she  asked  in  quiv- 
ering tones.  "  What  has  happened  ?  " 

"  Suthin  horrible,"  he  whispered  back,  "  but  I've 
got  to  b'lieve  it,  'n'  prove  it  too !  Martha  wants  me 
to  hide  that  money  in  the  front-room  fireplace  'n' 
to-night  —  sometime  —  she's  goin'  to  steal  it. 
Now  don't  say  a  word !  I've  got  a  roll  o'  paper  'n' 
bill  outside  fixed  up;  I'm  goin'  to  hide  it  under  the 
loose  brick  she  wants  me  to.  Jist  you  come  to 
my  room  in  your  stockin's  arter  she's  gone  to  bed, 
'n'  wait  'n'  listen  with  me.  When  she  thinks  I'm 
asleep,  she'll  go  down  the  back  stairs,  I  figger  — 
they're  furtherest  away  from  my  room — 'n'  then 
you  'n'  I'll  come  to  the  top  o'  the  front  ones  'n' 
listen.  All  I  want  is  proof  she's  become  a  thief,  'n' 
that's  the  end  o'  her  'n'  I." 

Then,  without  a  word  of  reply  to  this  shame- 


212  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

ful  but  probable  supposition,  Hazel  wound  her  arms 
around  her  father's  neck  and  kissed  him.  They 
were  as  one  now  in  wish,  spirit,  and  mutual  humilia- 
tion. 

She  kept  hold  of  his  hand,  too,  as  they  walked 
up  the  lane  and  found  Martha  on  the  porch  await- 
ing them. 

"  Whar  you  ben  ? "  she  almost  demanded  as 
Uncle  Asa  came  first  up  the  steps. 

"  I've  ben  worryin'  'bout  what  you  said  'bout  that 
money,"  he  answered  calmly,  "  'n'  took  a  walk  to 
look  'round.  I  guess  I'd  best  do  ez  you  say,  'n'  hide 
it  in  the  fireplace.  It's  gittin'  'most  bedtime,  'n'  I'll 
do  it  now."  And  without  more  words  he  went  in- 
side. 

Martha  also  followed  him  in,  watched  him  put 
the  bogus  roll  of  money  under  the  loose  brick,  re- 
turn the  firedogs  into  place  again,  and  pile  the 
white  birch  wood  upon  them  as  before. 

And  so  another  trap  was  set  —  this  time  to  catch 
one  whose  detection  was  to  cost  more  in  shame  and 
humiliation  than  all  the  money  meant  to  Uncle  Asa. 

He  locked  the  door  as  Hazel  came  in,  drew  a 
heavy  settle  in  front  of  it,  saw  that  the  windows 
were  fastened,  went  out  and  locked  the  two  kitchen 
doors,  then  the  three  ascended  the  front  stairs  in 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  213 

Indian  file  and  separated  with  the  usual  "  Good- 
nights." 

An  hour  later,  in  loose  wrapper  and  stockinged 
feet,  Hazel  tiptoed  softly  into  her  father's  room, 
closed  the  door  to  a  quarter-inch  crack,  and  sat 
down  beside  it  listening. 

This  expected  denouement  or  exposure  meant 
more  to  her  than  to  her  father ! 

One  hour,  two  hours,  seemingly,  passed  to  that 
listening,  also  keenly  humiliated  father  and 
daughter,  then  Hazel's  acute  young  ears  caught  the 
faint  creak  of  an  opened  door,  one,  two,  three  les- 
ser ones  from  the  back  stairs,  and  then  only  the 
slow  solemn  "  tick,  tock  "  of  the  tall  clock  in  the 
parlor  below. 

And  never  afterwards  in  her  life  did  she  listen 
to  that  slow-beating  monitor  of  time  in  the  stilly 
night  without  recalling  this  crucial  moment! 

Five  minutes,  each  a  seeming  hour  long,  passed, 
then  up  from  the  parlor  came  a  faint  pat  as  the 
sticks  of  wood  in  the  fireplace  were  taken  out  and 
laid  down.  Then  Hazel  arose  and  beckoned  to  her 
father,  barely  visible  by  the  window.  He  shook 
his  head,  however,  then  motioned  her  to  go  out 
alone. 

Very   gently  now   Hazel   drew  the   door   open, 


214  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

like  a  cat  she  crept  to  the  carpeted  front  stairs,  down 
them  to  the  open  parlor  door,  and  there,  barely 
outlined  by  the  star  light,  she  saw  Martha  kneeling 
in  front  of  the  fireplace! 

She  next  saw  her  lift  the  loose  brick,  seize  the 
roll  of  money-covered  paper,  and  begin  the  re- 
turning of  the  white  birch  sticks  to  place  on  the 
firedogs. 

Then  Hazel,  thus  convinced  that  her  hated  step- 
mother was  a  thief,  with  every  nerve  in  her  body 
quivering  from  the  horror  of  it  and  all  it  meant, 
crept  back  to  her  father's  room,  whispered,  "  I  saw 
her  take  it,"  kissed  him,  and  then,  overcome  by  the 
strain  of  this  tragedy,  she  sank  to  the  floor  at  his 
feet  —  sobbing. 

Up  from  the  hall  below  and  now  sounding  to 
Uncle  Asa  like  "  Nevermore  —  nevermore  —  never- 
more," came  the  slow,  solemn  clock  beats. 

And  so  it  was  to  his  life  with  the  now  despicable 
Martha,  for  he  never  saw  her  again. 


SHE  SAW  MAKTHA  KNEELING  IN  FRONT  OF  THE  FIREPLACE. 
P<t(je  214. 


CHAPTER  XVIII 

THE  gray  light  of  coming  morn  was  at  hand 
when  Hazel  felt  herself  wakened  by  her 
father's  touch,  and  saw  him  dressed  in  his 
best,  with  hat  on  and  boots  in  hand,  beside  her 
bed. 

"  Here's  a  paper  to  give  to  Martha  when  she  gits 
up,"  he  whispered,  handing  it  to  her  as  she  rose 
up.  "  I'm  goin'  to  Barre  now.  I'll  git  back  by 
middle  o'  the  arternoon  'n'  go  to  my  boathouse.  Ef 
Martha's  here,  then  yew  be  thar  by  three  o'clock. 
Ef  you  ain't,  I'll  know  she's  gone,  'n'  come  to  the 
house.  You  kin  read  the  paper  arter  I'm  gone." 
Then  he  stooped,  kissed  Hazel's  forehead,  and  with- 
out another  word  tiptoed  out  and  down  the  stairs. 

And  Hazel,  watching,  saw  him  go  to  the  barn, 
emerge  with  the  harnessed  horse,  attach  him  to 
their  light  buggy,  put  a  gun  in,  and  drive  away. 
Then  she  read  the  note  she  held.  It  was  brief  and 
to  the  point  like  all  of  Uncle  Asa's  utterances,  and 
said : — 

"  Martha,  you  and  I  can't  live  under  the  same 
215 


216  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

roof  no  longer.  You  can  go  to  your  sister's  in 
Goshen  or  where  you  choose.  I  shall  have  the 
farm  apprized  and  send  you  one-third  of  that.  If 
this  don't  satisfy  you,  take  the  law  on  me.  ASA 
WEBSTER.'* 

Hazel,  too,  had  her  own  sense  of  pride  and  as  all 
the  years  while  this  woman  had  been  hateful  to  her 
now  returned  to  add  abhorrence  of  this  act  of  theft, 
as  her  father  would  say,  "  her  dander  riz,"  and  with 
it  a  determination  to  mete  out  a  little  vengeance  on 
personal  account. 

No  one  else  was  astir  in  the  house  as  yet,  and 
whether  Martha  had  discovered  how  she  had  been 
trapped  was  also  unknown  to  Hazel.  Neither  did 
she  care.  The  intended  theft  had  been  committed, 
and  its  criminality  and  despicable  meanness  was  just 
as  great  in  Hazel's  mind  as  if  all  the  money  had 
been  stolen. 

Only  for  a  few  moments  did  Hazel  now  con- 
sider how  she  could  best  humiliate  this  shameless 
woman,  then  wrote  on  a  slip  of  paper: — 

"  I  hope  I  shall  never  be  obliged  to  set  eyes  on 
you  again.  You  can  take  your  two  boys  and  all 
personal  things  belonging  to  you,  and  the  sooner 
you  go  the  better.  You  can  also  explain  why  you 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  217 

go  in  any  way  you  please.  I  don't  expect  you  will 
tell  the  truth.  If  you  do  not  leave  town  before 
noon  I  believe  father  will  have  you  arrested.  I  saw 
you  steal  the  money.  HAZEL." 

Then  Hazel  dressed,  pinned  the  two  notes  to- 
gether, locked  the  door  of  her  own  room,  left  the 
double  message  on  the  dining-room  table  where 
Martha  must  surely  find  it,  and  stole  out  of  the 
house  just  as  the  sun  peeped  over  the  hilltops. 

It  had  been  a  night  and  an  experience  so  abhor- 
rent and  so  humiliating  that  it  seemed  as  if  she  had 
grown  years  older  during  that  ten  hours'  lapse  of 
time. 

Once  well  away  from  the  house,  or  at  the  foot 
of  the  lane  she  paused  to  consider  what  to  do  next, 
and  just  now,  also,  it  seemed  as  if  a  great  load  had 
been  lifted  from  her  soul.  Here,  too,  and  for  the 
first  time  since  awakened  by  her  father,  she  began 
to  realize  that  it  was  morning,  that  the  brook  close 
by  was  chattering  away  as  usual,  the  birds  piping 
their  morning  welcome  to  the  rising  sun  from  all 
about,  and  quite  unconscious  of  the  horrible  hap- 
pening. A  crisp  sea  breeze  blew  up  from  the  salt 
marsh.  A  bobolink  rose  from  a  thicket  of  ferns 
just  across  the  main  road,  circled  around,  then  lit 
on  the  tip  of  a  tree  limb  and  began  its  wondrously 


218  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

sweet  song.  Nature  was  still  existent.  God  still 
ruled  the  Universe! 

With  this  impress  of  morning  and 'the  birth  of  a 
new  day,  Hazel's  spirits  began  to  catch  the  bobolink's 
note,  and  she  to  see  another  and  brighter  future  just 
ahead  with  the  deep  and  abiding  love  of  her  father 
to  bless  it.  Then,  too,  as  she  now  started  on  up  the 
road,  she  began  to  grow  thankful  that  he  was  to 
escape  the  cross  he  had  asked  her  to  help  him  bear. 
She  still  had  him  as  he  had  her,  and  now  their  life 
together  could  be  like  the  song  of  the  brook  and  the 
birds  once  more. 

With  this  rising  of  her  spirits  and  vision  of 
another  and  happier  life,  Stacy's  face  began  to 
emerge  from  forget  fulness,  and  the  part  he  had 
played  in  this  drama  to  recur  to  her.  It  had  all 
come  so  suddenly,  too;  this  strange,  dapper  little 
fellow's  appearance  and  meeting  with  her  father; 
the  hilarious  conduct  over  some  bargain,  the  rea- 
son for  which  she  knew  not;  his  visit  to  the  village 
and  return  with  so  great  a  sum  of  money,  all  ob- 
tained through  some  mysterious  influence  or  aid 
from  Stacy.  And  then  the  end  of  that  night  of  sus- 
pense ! 

And  now,  too,  her  own  conduct  and  distrust  of 
Stacy,  also  lack  of  faith  in  her  father's  opinion 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  219 

of  him,  returned  to  her.  And  what  was  the  mean- 
ing of  his  sudden  and  unusual  interest  in  her  father? 
Was  it  but  a  means  to  an  end,  and  her  good  will, 
her  favor,  and  herself  eventually;  or  that  end  an 
ultimatum?  For  this  busy  business  man  so  to  plot, 
and  plan  to  assist  her  father  from  pure  philanthropy 
seemed  almost  impossible,  and  from  what  her  father 
had  asserted  that  this  bold  fellow  had  said  and 
thought  of  her,  there  could  be  but  one  conclusion, 
which  was  that  she  was  the  magnet  that  had  drawn 
his  aid  and  interest. 

And  then  what  meant  the  books  and  music  sent 
her  without  even  his  card? 

And  just  now,  with  the  pulse  of  young  life  within 
her,  and  sure  that  this  imperious  young  man  meant 
to  win  her  if  he  could,  meant  to  say  to  her  "  I  want 
you,  body  and  soul,"  Hazel  began  to  feel  herself 
blush,  while  every  nerve  tingled. 

Then  a  sense  of  rebellion  at  all  this  encom- 
passing of  plot  and  plan  to  win  her  favor,  now 
followed.  She  was  not  for  sale!  No  favors 
shown  her  father  or  aid  to  him  could  avail  in 
this  capture  of  herself,  if  captured  she  was! 
Though  loving  her  father  devotedly  and  ready  to 
make  any  sacrifice  for  him,  she  was  still  mistress  of 
her  own  fate  and  future,  and  no  assertive  and  bold 


220  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

fellow  like  this  Stacy  need  imagine  favors  to  her 
father  could  win  one  iota  of  love  from  her!  Not 
even  an  extra  heart  throb ! 

-  By  this  time,  she  was  half  way  to  the  village, 
and  here  on  the  very  hillock  where  Stacy  had 
stood  and  scanned  that  hamlet  and  the  opening  val- 
ley and  vista  of  ocean  beyond,  while  building  his  air 
castle  of  a  future  city,  Hazel  now  paused  to  con- 
sider her  own  immediate  plans ;  also  to  realize  that 
she  was  hungry.  To  go  on  to  Molly  Bascom's  and 
be  welcomed  to  breakfast  there  was  the  easiest  thing 
possible,  but  what  excuse  was  there  for  it,  and  how 
could  she  explain  so  unusual  an  act?  Some  expla- 
nation of  what  was  to  happen  at  home  must  be 
made  to  her  friends  in  the  near  future,  yet  Hazel 
dared  not  decide  upon  one  without  consulting  her 
father. 

"  I've  run  away  from  home,  Molly,"  she  said 
laughingly  to  that  chum  when  her  home  was 
reached.  "  Had  a  spat  with  Martha  —  you  know 
how  I  adore  her  —  and  so  ran  away  for  a  few 
hours.  Don't  ask  me  a  word  about  it !  I  just  want 
breakfast,  then  I'm  going  to  walk  my  mad  fit  off, 
and  go  home  again !  " 

And  true  to  the  schoolmate  bond  of  friendship  be- 
tween these  two,  Hazel  obtained  her  needed  morn- 
ing meal,  passed  a  couple  of  hours  with  the 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  221 

vivacious  Molly,  and  then  departed  to  walk  off  her 
supposed  anger. 

"  I  hope  father  will  be  willing  to  have  the  truth 
told,"  she  said  to  herself,  when  well  away  from  the 
Bascom  home,  "  and  yet  perhaps  it's  best  not  to  do 
so." 

And  now  how  to  pass  this  time  until  her  father's 
return  came  next  for  consideration.  It  was  now 
only  a  little  past  eight.  She  knew  that  he  could  not 
leave  Barre  until  after  the  bank  opened  at  nine.  It 
would  take  him  certainly  three  hours  with  their 
slow  horse  over  the  hilly  road,  and  that  meant  noon 
before  he  got  back.  Then,  after  deciding  that  she 
would  follow  the  Barre  road  and  meet  her  father, 
Hazel  happened  to  recall  what  Stacy  had  told  her 
of  the  picture  of  herself  on  the  blackboard  of 
her  schoolhouse,  and  straightway  decided  she  had 
ample  time  to  go  and  expunge  it ;  also  make  a  guess 
as  to  what  boy  was  so  enamored  of  her. 

She  found  the  rude  drawing  still  extant  where 
Stacy  had  said  it  was,  and  even  as  he  had  done, 
so  she  now  sat  down,  looked  long  at  it,  read  the 
legend  beneath,  "  My  teacher,  I  love  her,"  then 
laughed  heartily. 

"  He  said  it  reminded  him  of  his  own  boyhood 
and  a  dose  of  the  same  first  love  malady,"  she  now 
said  aloud,  and  then,  true  to  her  sex,  began  to 


222  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

wonder  what  sort  of  looking  girl  this  teacher  was 
who  had  captured  Stacy's  boyish  heart,  and  whether 
he  had  fully  recovered  from  it  or  not. 

"  It's  Schuyler  Crowell,"  she  added,  now  examin- 
ing the  scrawled  words  beneath  the  picture.  "  I 
know  his  '  M  '  and  *  I '  beyond  question,"  then  shook 
with  another  spasm  of  laughter  at  the  thought  of 
this  round-faced,  chubby  boy  of  fourteen  having 
heart  troubles  of  this  nature.  She  tried  also  to  re- 
call some  indications  of  it  in  his  conduct  the  previ- 
ous term,  and  now  in  the  light  of  this  revelation  a 
few  recurred  to  her.  How  quietly  studious  he  had 
appeared  the  latter  part  of  it.  How  on  three  Mon- 
day mornings  she  had  found  a  bunch  of  arbutus  on 
her  desk,  and  wishing  to  thank  the  giver  of  the 
flowers  she  so  prized,  was  unable  to  find  out  who 
brought  them.  Then,  and  as  a  final  corroboration, 
she  recalled  how  apparently  sorry  to  have  school 
close  Schuyler  appeared,  and  instead  of  trooping 
down  with  the  rest  at  final  dismissal,  how  he  had 
hung  around  the  schoolhouse  until  she  departed, 
and  then  gone  his  way  alone.  No  thought  of  this 
peculiar  influence  had  come  to  her  then  —  now  with 
this  disclosure  it  was  plain  enough;  and  scanning 
the  grotesque  drawing  once  more  and  thinking  how 
this  quiet,  timid  boy  had  come  here  to  ease  his 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  223 

troubled  heart  in  this  way,  instead  of  laughing 
again,  somehow  it  almost  seemed  pathetic. 

A  little  retrospection  of  her  own  life -and  its  sor- 
rows came  next :  her  mother's  death  eleven  years 
previous,  her  almost  unbearable  sense  of  loss  then, 
her  father's  tears  and  gloom,  his  well-meant,  per- 
haps, but  unfortunate  bringing  of  a  stepmother  to 
their  desolate  home,  and  its  unhappy  outcome. 
That  was  past  now,  even  though  its  ending  had 
come  through  a  shameful  horror,  and  she  was  never 
likely  again  to  look  upon  this  woman  she  had  come 
so  to  despise. 

And  just  then,  as  if  to  prove  that  all  shame,  sor- 
row, and  disgrace  is  but  an  avenging  Nemesis,  she 
heard  a  team  nearing  the  schoolhouse  and  going  to 
the  window  saw  Uncle  Levi's  carryall,  and  in  it 
Martha  and  the  two  boys,  evidently  being  conveyed 
to  the  depot,  and  Martha's  eyes  were  red  and 
swollen  from  weeping. 

On  this  instant,  also,  a  quick  pang  of  regret  for 
the  sarcastic  and  quite  contemptuous  note  she  had 
addressed  to  this  woman,  came  to  Hazel.  It 
couldn't  be  recalled,  however.  The  blow  had  been 
dealt  to  this  erring  woman  whose  worst  sin  was  so 
to  love  money  that  she  would  steal  it.  And  this 
was  the  end. 


224  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

And  just  now,  also,  as  the  carryall  and  the  de- 
jected and  bowed-down  face  of  Martha  vanished, 
Hazel  felt  her  own  eyes  fill. 

"  She  made  me  hate  her,"  she  asserted  finally  in 
self-defense,  "but" — and  biting  her  lips — "I  am 
sorry  I  wrote  the  note.  Father's  was  enough." 

A  little  longer  only  she  sat  there  in  that  lone  by- 
way temple  —  her  own  kingdom  by  the  roadside 
—  then  glancing  at  her  watch  (once  her  mother's), 
she  saw  it  was  almost  eleven,  and,  forgetting  to 
erase  her  boy  admirer's  chalk  drawing,  she  hurried 
out,  then  crossed  the  village  and  took  the  woods- 
bordered  road  up  over  the  low  mountains  to  Barre. 

She  did  not  now  feel  afraid  of  its  isolation,  or 
the  fact  that  after  leaving  Oakdale  valley  not  a 
house  was  to  be  found  alongside  it  until  five  miles 
away,  and  on  top  of  the  range  stood  a  charcoal 
burner's  hut;  for  like  all  country -born  girls,  byway 
roads,  woods-bordered,  held  no  terrors  —  hot  even 
of  tramps,  for  few  ever  came  to  this  hamlet.  One 
mile,  two  miles  she  trudged  onward  along  this  wind- 
ing, up-hill,  partially  shaded  and  quite  lonely  road; 
then  coming  to  a  kind  of  canyon  with  thick  over- 
hang where  a  hillside  spring,  long  trough,  and  log 
tub  offered  cooling  temptation,  she  paused  to  drink 
and  bathe  her  face  and  hands,  then  to  find  an  avail- 
able seat,  and  to  rest 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  225 

"  Father  must  come  along  soon,"  she  said,  con- 
sulting her  watch  again.  "  It's  almost  one,  and  if 
he  started  back  by  half-past  nine,  he  will." 

But  another  hour  passed  and  no  father  came. 
Then,  so  peculiar  is  solitude  that  Hazel,  a  good  deal 
unstrung  by  loss  of  sleep,  shame,  sorrow,  regret,  and 
other  unusual  happenings,  began  to  lose  her  courage 
and  imagine  all  sorts  of  terrors.  First,  what  if 
something  had  happened  to  her  father?  She  had 
seen  him  take  his  gun,  so  he  must  have  feared  some 
enemy  might  be  met.  And  such  a  sum  of  money, 
too,  that  he  carried  —  nine  thousand,  five  hundred 
dollars !  Almost  enough  to  tempt  an  honest  man  to 
rob,  she  thought.  And  what  about  this  Mexican, 
Otero?  And  why  mightn't  he  have  suspected  how 
soon  and  by  which  way  her  father  would  go  to  put 
so  much  money  in  a  bank,  and  plan  to  meet  and 
rob  him? 

The  bugaboo  of  imaginary  danger  once  started 
grows  fast,  and  Hazel  now,  nervous  as  she  was, 
waiting,  watching,  listening  for  a  coming  team  and 
hearing  none,  soon  attained  a  state  of  mind  in 
which  she  was  ready  to  scream  at  the  sound  of  a 
squirrel  scampering  through  the  undergrowth,  or 
the  whir  of  a  partridge.  Go  on,  she  dared  not! 
Return,  she  would  not  as  yet,  so  sat  in  dumb  and 
rapidly-increasing  distress  of  mind. 


226  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

And  what  a  medley  of  horrible  sounds  the  woods 
now  held!  A  frog  croaking  in  some  morass,  or  a 
squirrel's  bark  became  a  hidden  human  being  of 
evil  intent,  calling  to  another.  The  caw  of  a  crow 
was  sinister!  Even  the  rustle  of  leaves  in  the  wind 
sounded  ominous!  Another  half-hour  passed,  and 
poor  Hazel  felt  faint  from  mingled  suspense  and 
dread,  then  came  the  distant  patter  of  a  horse's 
hoofs,  the  rattle  of  wheels,  and  soon  from  around  a 
bend  she  saw  her  father  nearing.  To  dart  out  from 
the  bank  and  run  to  meet  him  was  her  next  act.  He 
halted  his  horse  sharply,  and  said,  "  Hullo,  girlie ! 
Why,  what  ye  doin'  here  ?  "  And  the  next  moment 
Hazel  had  leaped  into  the  buggy,  then  into  his  lap, 
with  arms  about  his  neck,  and  sobbing. 

To  her  the  world  now  held  but  one  person,  and 
she  was  in  his  arms ! 

"  Why,  what's  happened  ?  "  came  the  query  from 
her  father  as  he  began  to  stroke  and  pat  Hazel's 
head,  then  kissed  her.  "  What  on  arth  is  the  mat- 
ter, house  burned,  or  what  ?  " 

"  No,  nothing  of  that  sort,"  responded  Hazel, 
cheering  up,  "  only  I  left  home  soon  after  you  did, 
got  breakfast  at  Molly's,  stayed  at  the  schoolhouse 
a  while  to  kill  time,  and  came  up  here  to  meet  you. 
I  began  to  get  scared,  I  guess ;  it's  so  lonesome  here. 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  227 

She's  gone,"  she  added  the  next  moment,  "  and  the 
boys  with  her.  Uncle  Levi  took  them  to  the  sta- 
tion. I  saw  them  pass  the  schoolhouse  and  she'd 
been  crying." 

"  O'  course,  o'  course,"  returned  her  father  so- 
berly, "  'n'  I'm  sorry  she  had  to.  I'm  sorry  any 
woman  ever  has  to  cry.  But  it's  best  so.  Martha 
was  like  an  achin'  tooth  to  you  'n'  I,  Hazel,  'n'  o' 
course  it  hurt  all  'round  to  hev  it  yanked  out.  Now 
it's  out,  let's  forget  it  'n'  start  fresh.  I'm  goin'  to 
do  the  right  thing  by  Martha,  ez  I  said,  'n'  soon  ez 
it  kin  be  done,  too.  I've  got  the  money,  your 
money,  whar  it's  safe,  'n'  now  we  kin  keep  house 
'n'  hev  a  lot  o'  comfort.  Ye  got  to  stop  keepin' 
school,  though,  now."  Then  he  drew  from  his 
pocket  a  bank  book  and  handed  it  to  Hazel. 

"  Why,  it's  ten  thousand  dollars,"  she  exclaimed, 
glancing  first  at  her  name  on  the  cover,  then  inside, 
"  and  you  only  had  nine  thousand,  five  hundred ! " 

"  Wai,  yes,  that's  so,  but  I've  ben  scrapin'  up  a 
leetle  fer  ye  'long  back,  'n'  I  wanted  to  make  it  even 
money,"  he  answered  tenderly,  "  'n'  now  I  won't  hev 
to  worry  no  more  'bout  your  futur." 

Then,  as  if  all  clouds  had  now  rolled  away 
from  their  sky,  he  kissed  her  once  more,  picked  up 
the  reins  and  drove  on. 


228  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

Half  way  to  Oakdale,  and  where  an  outlook  point 
was  reached,  from  which  the  vista  of  valley  and 
bordering  ocean  was  visible,  he  halted  again. 

"  Say,  girlie,"  he  said,  with  a  droll  smile  and  wee 
little  twinkle  in  his  eyes,  "  do  ye  know  what  I  fust 
thought  when  you  pounced  out  onto  me  so  sudden 
up  back?" 

"No,"  she  returned,  also  smiling;  "I  couldn't 
guess.  What  was  it?" 

"  Why,  I  cal'lated  you  must  'a'  heerd  Mr.  Whip- 
pie  had  ben  scalpt  by  Injins,  that's  what." 

"  Well,  you  are  wrong,  father,  all  wrong,"  she 
answered  decidedly ;  "  Mr.  Whipple  isn't  in  my 
thoughts  at  all !  " 

"  O'  course  not,  course  not,"  he  responded  sooth~ 
ingly ;  "  how  could  he  be  ?  That  was  only  my 
guess ! " 

Then  he  chirruped  to  the  horse  and  on  they  went 
jagain. 


CHAPTER  XIX 

WHEN  Uncle  Asa  and  Hazel  returned  to 
their  hid-away  home  in  Maple  Dell,  both 
feeling  like  school  children  at  the  close  of 
a  term,  they  found  that  Martha  had  prepared  and 
left  for  them  a  rather  unique  and  also  solemn  sur- 
prise, for  the  parlor  was  arranged  as  if  for  a  funeral. 
All  chairs  from  other  rooms,  except  rockers,  had 
been  carried  to  the  parlor  and  arranged  in  rows; 
Hazel's  banjo,  auto-harp,  and  all  books  and  music 
taken  out  and  piled  on  the  kitchen  table ;  the  curtains 
drawn ;  the  center-table  set  close  to  the  fireplace  and 
on  it  lay  the  family  Bible,  open,  with  a  vase  of 
flowers  beside  that.  To  add  a  suggestive  illusion, 
the  tall  clock  had  been  stopped  at  ten-thirty  exactly ! 
"  Wai,"  drawled  Uncle  Asa,  smiling,  as  he  sur- 
veyed this  arrangement,  "  Martha's  fixed  things 
'bout  ez  they'd  orter  be  for  'n  occasion  o'  this  sort, 
'cept  the  corpse.  Wonder  if  she  figgered  or  war 
hopin'  I'd  drop  dead  out  o'  sudden  grief  to  finish  the 
layout?" 

Then  going  to  the  center-table,  he  found  in  the 
229 


230  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

open  Bible  an  even  more  spiteful  addition  to  this 
parting  shot  —  her  wedding  ring ! 

"  Kinder  wanted  to  do  a  little  scratchin',  didn't 
ye,  Martha  ?  "  he  ejaculated  at  sight  of  this,  "  'n' 
tell  me  ye  war  dern  glad  to  git  shet  o'  me,  eh  ?  Wai, 
thar's  two  on  us  feelin'  that  way,  anyhow! 

"  Say,  Hazel,"  he  added,  glancing  at  her  as  she 
raised  the  shades,  "  your  dear  stepmother's  left  her 
weddin'  ring  to  spite  me,  but  she  didn't  leave  the 
watch  'n'  chain  I  give  her  on  that  suspicious  occa- 
sion, I  notice?  Curis,  curis,"  he  continued  mus- 
ingly, "  what  a  make-up  that  woman  had,  anyhow ! 
Here  I  let  her  hev  'bout  all  the  money  that  cum  in 
fer  nine  years,  'most  of  which  she  salted;  I  clothed 
'n'  eddicated  them  two  boys  o'  hern,  'sides  puttin'  up 
with  all  their  devilment,  'n'  now,  not  satisfied  with 
tryin'  to  steal  your  sheet  anchor,  that  money,  she 
sets  out  to  kick  me  once  fer  good  measure !  'Bout 
all  she  lacked  to  be  perfect  war  horns,  two  hoofs, 
'n'  a  forked  tail,  I  cal'late. 

"  I  s'pose  she'll  say  all  sorts  o'  nasty  things  'bout 
yew  'n'  I,  Hazel,"  he  continued,  smiling  at  her  now, 
"but  we'll  let  her  do  the  talkin',  won't  we,  girlie? 
It'll  be  a  case  o'  givin'  a  calf  rope  enough,  I  figger?  " 

"  No,  she  won't  dare,"  responded  Hazel,  who 
understood  women's  nature  better  than  her  father, 
"  for  I,  too,  left  her  a  note  telling  her  I  saw  her 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  231 

steal  the  money,  and  she  knows  people  will  believe 
me  sooner  than  her. 

"  Why,  she's  a  fool,"  she  added  a  moment  later, 
opening  the  clock  to  start  it,  "  for  she's  left  both 
our  notes  and  that  make-believe  roll  of  money  tied 
to  the  clock  pendulum!  Now  we  can  prove  why 
she  was  asked  to  go  away!  No,  we  shall  never 
hear  a  word  from  her,  father ! " 

And  the  keen-witted  Hazel  measured  her  much- 
abhorred  stepmother  aright,  for  never  a  word  of 
explanation  came  from  her  to  any  one  in  Oakdale, 
or  any  communication  except  to  Squire  Phinney, 
requesting  him  to  sell  her  former  home,  now  rented, 
which  he  later  on  did. 

And  so  closed  this  peculiar  woman's  connection 
with  Uncle  Asa  and  with  Oakdale  as  well. 

He  was  true  to  his  promise  and  idea  of  justice, 
also,  for  he  at  once  authorized  Phinney  to  obtain 
the  aid  of  two  other  honorable  men,  make  a  fair 
appraisal  of  his  old,  weather-worn  house  and  small 
farm,  and  a  year  later  that  factotum  of  Oakdale's 
legal  affairs  paid  Goshen  a  visit,  tendered  the 
obstreperous  Martha  a  sum  equivalent  to  her  dower 
right  in  Uncle  Asa's  estate,  and  received  in  return 
a  legal  release  from  such  rights,  duly  signed,  wit- 
nessed, and  afterward  recorded  in  the  archives  of 
Oakdale. 


232  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

Of  course  such  a  happening  astounded  that  quiet 
hamlet  as  naught  else  ever  had  done,  although  Mrs. 
Phinney  and  several  other  wise  matrons  shook  their 
heads  or  nodded  mysteriously  while  discussing  it, 
and  asserted  that  it  was  no  more  than  they  had 
expected  all  along.  Also  that  Uncle  Asa  had  been 
duped  to  begin  with,  and  the  only  wonder  was  why 
he  had  stood  it  as  long  as  he  had. 

"  I've  no  explanation  to  make  or  a  word  to  say 
about  the  affair,"  Hazel  responded  to  the  eager  in- 
quiries of  Molly  Bascom  and  the  rest  of  her  girl 
friends.  "  I've  never  liked  my  stepmother,  as  every 
one  knows,  but  I've  had  to  endure  her,  however, 
as  best  I  could  for  father's  sake.  Now  that  she 
has  seen  fit  to  depart  and  can't  defend  herself,  I  shall 
be  charitable  enough  to  say  '  amen '  and  nothing 
more  to  all  alike." 

And  true  to  the  nobility  of  her  character,  Hazel 
never  did  say  anything  else. 

Uncle  Asa  also  made  haste  to  fill  the  domestic 
gap  in  his  home  by  engaging  the  services  of  Aunt 
Sally  Perkins,  a  spinster  sister  of  Molly  Bascom's 
mother,  who  for  a  modest  stipend  was  glad  to 
accept  so  good  a  home  and  become  a  combination 
of  chaperon  and  mother  to  Hazel ;  also  housekeeper. 
She  was  eminently  pious,  feared  the  Lord,  prayed 
earnestly  for  everybody  and  everything  each  night, 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  233 

and  the  only  point  of  difference  between  herself  and 
Uncle  Asa  was  because  he  ignored  the  need  of  say- 
ing grace  before  every  meal. 

Hazel  appeared  in  the  church  choir  each  Sunday, 
her  auto-harp  and  banjo  were  heard  more  frequently 
in  the  house,  Uncle  Asa  became  more  droll  and 
smiling,  Hazel's  girl  friends  came  oftener  to  Maple 
Dell,  and  the  dove  of  peace  and  angel  of  happiness 
both  were  daily  visitors. 

And  then  one  day  Uncle  Asa  made  a  characteristic 
proposition  to  Hazel. 

"  Summer's  more'n  half  gone,  girlie,"  he  said  to 
her,  "  'n'  it's  'most  the  last  o'  August.  Now  let's 
yew  'n'  I  git  up  a  sort  o'  picnic  to  celebrate  some 
things  as  is  turnin'  out  to  be  blessin's.  Yew  invite 
a  few  o'  yer  gal  friends,  'n'  two  or  three  fellers,  o' 
course,  to  balance  up,  all  my  two  boats'll  carry,  'n' 
we'll  all  go  down  to  the  shore,  sing,  go  bathin',  dig 
clams,  brile  some  lobs,  'n'  ez  the  moon's  'most  full, 
come  home  by  the  light  on't.  What  do  ye  say  ?  " 

"  I've  a  better  plan,"  answered  Hazel  smilingly, 
after  considering  this  one,  "  and  that  is,  you  and  I 
will  go  all  by  ourselves  and  do  what  you  suggest. 
You  are  good  enough  company  for  me;  I  am  hap- 
piest with  you  alone,  so  let  us  picnic  together." 

"  Wai,  jist  ez  ye  say,  girlie,"  returned  her  father 
benignly ;  "  you  are  sartinly  good  'miff  company 


234  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

fer  me,  W  to-morrer  we'll  start  'bout  ten  when  the 
tide  sarves." 

He  was  up  early  the  next  day,  made  many  trips 
between  home  and  boathouse,  carrying  all  sorts  of 
things  for  convenience  and  comfort,  and  when  all 
was  ready  and  Hazel  followed  him  to  it,  she  smiled 
at  the  array  of  cushions  where  she  was  to  sit  in  the 
stern  of  his  small  boat  over  which  he  had  rigged 
a  canvas  canopy  to  protect  her  from  the  sun.  To 
add  to  the  picturesque  touch,  he  had  also  tacked 
strips  of  old  sail-cloth  around  the  gunwales  to  hold 
in  place  a  fringing  row  of  cat-tails.  He  assisted 
Hazel  to  her  seat  as  if  she  were  a  queen.  She 
grasped  the  tiller  ropes,  he  the  oars,  and  away  they 
went. 

"  Ye  needn't  mind  steerin',"  he  said  a  little  later, 
halting  his  strokes  and  handing  her  her  banjo. 
"  'Twon't  be  low  water  till  'most  two,  we  got  lots  o' 
time,  'n'  I'd  rather  hev  you  play  'n'  sing  'n'  I'll  go 
slower  'n'  do  the  steerin'.  Play  suthin  lively.  I 
feel  that  way,  myself." 

He  certainly  did  also,  for  he  joined  his  voice  with 
hers  in  the  score  of  time-worn  darky  songs  she  now 
rendered  with  gay  abandon;  the  bobolinks,  rail- 
birds,  and  marsh-swallows  rose,  circled,  sang,  and 
peeped  all  about  and  above  them;  the  crisp  sea 
breeze  blew  in  to  add  zest,  and  had  they  been  lovers 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  235 

instead  of  prosy  father  and  daughter,  they  couldn't 
have  been  more  in  tune  with  time,  place,  and  antici- 
pation. 

He  was  like  a  lover,  also,  all  that  bright  summer 
day  to  his  well-beloved  "  Girlie,"  waited  on  her  hand 
and  foot,  and  while  she  insisted  on  donning  her 
bathing  suit  in  his  old  fish  house  up  back  of  the 
beach,  to  wash  the  clams  he  dug,  that  and  set  the 
table  were  all  that  she  was  allowed  to  do. 

"  Yew're  my  Sunday  gal  to-day,  Hazel,"  he  as- 
serted smilingly,  "  'n'  yew  'n'  I  are  sorter  sweet- 
hearts, too,  so  ye  jist  got  to  be  waited  on  so  I  kin 
feel  I'm  a  young  feller  agin,  jist  once." 

When  the  clams  were  steamed  just  right,  lobsters 
broiled  to  a  turn,  and  coffee  made,  they  two  feasted, 
as  well  they  could  now,  and  after  that  with  Hazel 
in  a  hammock  he  had  strung  up  in  the  grove,  Uncle 
Asa  lit  his  cob  pipe,  seated  himself  at  the  foot  of  a 
tree  in  the  shade  and,  as  might  be  expected,  became 
philosophic. 

"  Thar's  nothin'  like  the  smell  o'  salt  water  'n' 
lookin'  out  over  the  ocean  'n'  surf  to  make  a  body 
fergit  everything  else,  girlie,"  he  said,  "  speshly 
when  ye  hev  it  all  to  yerself.  Now,  I  figgered  yew'd 
like  some  young  folks  'long  for  company,  'n'  let  me 
wait  on  the  bunch.  But  this  is  a  lot  better,  'n' 
makes  me  feel  more  like  kickin'  up  my  heels." 


236  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

"  That's  why  I  said  we  two  would  come  and  no 
one  else,  father,"  returned  Hazel.  "  I  know  you 
best,  and  what  you  enjoy  best." 

"  Ye  do,  girlie,  ye  do  sartin,"  he  responded,  well 
pleased  and  smiling,  "  'n'  now  I'm  goin'  to  tell  ye 
suthin  I  never  did  afore  nor  to  nobody  else  o' 
course,  'n'  it's  this.  If  thar's  any  more  darn  fool 
things'n  one  man  kin  do  in  this  world,  it's  what 
two  will  blunder  into,  I'm  satisfied.  Now  when 
your  mother  died  o'  course  I  figgered  you'd  need, 
'n'  grow  up  happier  by  havin'  some  one  to  take  her 
place,  ez  it  war,  'n'  I  married  Martha  —  or  ez  I 
rec'lect  how  it  cum  'bout,  she  did  the  trick,  'n'  that's 
what  it  was.  Now  I  was  —  wal,  let's  f ergit  it  fast 
ez  we  kin,  only  it  leads  up  to  'nother  matter  that's 
on  my  mind  —  your  f utur.  Now  with  that  money 
I've  got  safe  in  the  bank  for  ye  —  'n'  it  seemed 
like  Kingdom  Come  to  me  to  git  it  —  you  won't 
never  be  'bleeged  to  marry  fer  a  home.  Ye  may, 
o'  course,  'n'  I  hope  ye  will  if  jist  the  right  man 
wants  ye,  but  go  slow  'n'  be  keerful,  mighty  keerful, 
'bout  doin'  so.  Gittin'  married  is  takin'  a  life  sen- 
tence to  live  'n'  love  one  man.  That  is,  love  him  a 
spell  'n'  be  the  best  o'  friends  arter,  that  is  all  'twill 
amount  to,  ez  ye  must  'spect.  Ye  want  to  go  'bout 
it  with  your  eyes  open,  too,  not  let  your  feelin's 
count  fer  much  either — 'tain't  safe;  they'll  fool  ye, 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  237 

sure,  ez  Natur  planned  to  hev  'em.     'N'  this  leads 
me  up  to  that  feller,  Whipple. 

"  I  ain't  pryin'  inter  your  heart  feelin's,  Hazel," 
he  continued  more  earnestly  after  a  pause.  "  I 
couldn't  ef  I  wanted  to,  'n'  I  don't  want  to.  Only 
I  mean  to  give  ye  the  best  advice  I  kin,  'n'  ye  must 
do  ez  ye  feel  is  best.  Now  I  like  him,  he's  square 
'n'  honest,  'n'  true  blue.  But  he's  kinder  bossy,  high 
strung,  'n'  must  be  looked  up  to  'n'  'lowed  his  own 
way.  Gin  him  that,  'n'  he'll  be  a  noble  sort  o' 
hero,  snub  him  some  'n'  he'll  git  sulky.  That's  his 
make-up  ez  I've  measured  him,  'n'  I  think  I'm  right. 
Now  he's  done  me  a  good  turn,  nobody  ever  did  or 
could  do  one  like  it,  'n'  got  me  the  money  I  war 
skinned  out  on  over  twofold.  'N'  it  war  money  I 
had  laid  up  fer  yew.  O'  course  I  feel  grateful,  I'd 
orter.  Now  back  o'  all  that,  'twa'n't  fer  me  en- 
tirely he  done  it,  'twar  fer  you,  Hazel,  I'm  sartin, 
'n'  that  man's  figgering  on  winnin'  yew  ez  pay.  I 
don't  blame  him,  neither.  If  I  was  him,  'n'  knowin' 
yer  make-up  ez  I  do,  I'd  sell  my  soul  to  git  ye  'n' 
call  it  a  good  bargain.  But  that's  what  ye  must 
rigger  on.  He'll  be  here  'fore  long,  'n'  when  he 
comes  he'll  come  courtin',  mark  my  words !  " 

"  I  know  it,"  interrupted  Hazel  eagerly,  "  or  I've 
half  believed  it  so  some  time,  and  what  you  say 
convinces  me  what  his  intentions  are.  He  is  a  nice 


238  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

enough  man,  no  doubt.  There  are  some  things 
about  him  I  like  also;  he  is  refined  and  honorable, 
I  am  sure,  but  he  is  as  you  say,  masterful,  and  wants 
his  own  way  and  —  I  wouldn't  marry  such  a  man  if 
he  were  the  last  one  on  earth  and  crawled  on  hands 
and  knees  from  Oakdale  depot  to  get  me  —  never, 
never ! 

"  There  is  something  else  I'm  going  to  tell  you, 
father,"  she  continued  more  tenderly,  "  and  it's 
this:  You  have  all  your  life  long  been  the  most 
loving  of  fathers  to  me,  have  scrimped  and  saved 
money  to  protect  me  from  want  when  you  are  gone. 
You  worried  your  poor  dear  heart  sore  because  you 
thought  it  lost,  and  now  in  return,  and  for  what  few 
years  you  have  left,  I  am  going  to  be  yours  only, 
and  do  all  in  my  power  to  make  you  happy.  If 
Mr.  Whipple  got  me  he'd  want  to  take  me  away  and 
leave  you  alone  and  —  and,  father,  he  couldn't  make 
me  love  him  enough  to  do  that  in  a  thousand  years, 
and  I  mean  it,  too,  if  it  were  the  last  words  I  had 
to  utter ! " 

And  so  she  did,  just  then. 

"  There  is  another  thing  you  haven't  thought  of, 
father,"  she  added  more  calmly,  "  and  it's  this. 
Mr.  Whipple  came  here  to  buy  a  power  site  for 
Barre,  and  North,  or  Curtis,  who  sold  you  the  mine 
stock,  heard  of  it  and  planned  to  get  ahead  of  him 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  239 

in  the  matter.  Mr.  Whipple  found  it  out,  came  here 
again,  hinted  around  that  it  was  Bear  Hole  Swamp 
he  intended  to  buy,  and  actually  bought  Rocky  Glen 
gorge  for  his  dam  site.  He  also  guessed  that  this 
man  North  or  his  partner,  Otero,  would  be  taken  in 
as  they  really  were,  and  buy  your  swamp  to  get  the 
better  of  him  or  his  firm.  It  has  all  worked  out 
as  Mr.  Whipple  planned,  and  this  swindler,  Curtis, 
or  Otero,  has  bought  what  you  were  glad  to  sell  and 
nobody  else  wants.  Now  my  guess  in  the  matter  is 
that  Mr.  Whipple  has  gone  to  all  this  trouble  fully 
as  much  to  get  square  with  this  trickster,  Curtis, 
as  to  do  you  a  good  turn.  And  while  I  am  thank- 
ful he  did,  and  you  got  your  money  back,  he  mustn't 
expect  me  to  feel  obligated  to  marry  him  on  that 
account  anyhow.  Isn't  that  so,  father  ?  " 

"  Wai,  that's  'bout  the  size  on't,  girlie,"  returned 
Uncle  Asa,  "  only  Mr.  Whipple  didn't  really  have 
any  call  to  put  the  job  up.  He'd  got  the  site  he 
wanted,  my  money  or  yewrn  wa'n't  hisn  to  worry 
'bout,  W  ef  he  hadn't  got  his  eye  on  yew  'n'  knew, 
ez  I  told  him,  'twas  yewr  heritage  I'd  got  buried  in 
this  no-good  mine,  why  should  he  bother  himself  at 
all?  No,  Hazel,  it  is  ez  ye  say,  ye  needn't  feel 
noways  in  debt  to  Mr.  Whipple,  but  I  am,  jist  the 
same.  Howsomever,  let's  fergit  it  fer  now.  Ye 
can't  cook  a  rabbit  till  ye  ketch  it  Mr.  Whipple 


240  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

hain't  ketched  you  yit,  'n'  my  idee  is  he'll  hev  a 
middlm'  lively  chase  'fore  he  does.  Yew  are,  as 
Sam  Gates  sez,  sweeter'n  peaches  an'  cream,  yew  are 
all  I'm  livin'  fer,  but  when  it  comes  to  a  feller  — 
wal,  yew  kin  be  harder  to  ketch'n  an  eel  in  wet 
grass,  yew  kin!  'N'  I'm  proud  on  ye  fer  it,  too! 
Now  let's  go  git  some  seashells  fer  Aunt  Sally,  to 
show  her  she  wa'n't  f ergot." 

As  planned,  also,  Uncle  Asa  and  his  piquant 
"  Girlie,"  after  a  day  of  quite  unalloyed  happiness 
and  mutual  heart  exchange,  drifted  homeward  on 
the  inflowing  tide  just  as  the  moon  began  to  silver 
their  pathway.  A  gentle  sea  breeze  swelled  the  one 
triangular  sail  Uncle  Asa  had  set,  the  marsh  birds 
had  all  gone  to  rest,  and  the  peace  and  quietude  of 
coming  night  were  over  all.  He,  also,  having  "  said 
his  say,"  as  he  would  put  it,  and  steering,  was  in 
retrospective  mood,  watching  the  scattered  lights  in 
the  distant  village  and  conscious,  also,  that  a  now 
distinctly  outlined  and  more  populous  one  on  the 
hillside  back  of  it,  would  in  the  near  future  become 
his  final  home ;  while  Hazel  in  the  bow,  ensconced  in 
cushions,  picked  soft  chords  on  her  banjo  and 
watched  the  rising  moon. 

To  one,  life's  end  and  its  ominous  shadow  were 
nearing;  to  the  other,  its  charm,  and  all  its  illusions 
were  just  rising. 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  241 

Only  for  a  little  while  was  this  wide  separation 
of  mood  allowed  by  Hazel,  for  intuitively  reading 
it  in  her  father's  face,  she  swept  her  fingers  across 
the  banjo  sharply,  and  began  to  carol  that  happy 
old  darky  love  song,  "  My  Gum  Tree  Canoe,"  as  if 
meaning  to  drive  away  his  megrims. 

"  We've  had  a  jolly,  happy  day,  hain't  we, 
girlie?"  he  said  tenderly,  later  on,  as  they  walked 
hand-in-hand  up  the  lane.  "  One  o'  the  happiest 
I've  had  in  many  years  —  jist  you  'n'  I,  'n'  it  war 
enuff.  Two  is  company,  'n'  even  three  is  a  crowd 
when  two  are  satisfied." 

"  We  are  going  to  have  a  lot  more  of  them, 
father,"  she  answered  in  the  same  tone,  "  and  you 
must  put  it  out  of  your  head  right  now  that  I  am 
likely  to  marry  and  leave  you,  for  I  never  shall." 
And  then  the  bony  fingers  that  held  one  of  her  soft 
little  hands  closed  with  a  warmer  clasp. 

Another  surprise,  and  also  an  assurance  of  what 
was  in  store  for  her  —  the  weal  or  woe  of  a  man's 
heart  —  awaited  'her  on  the  parlor  table  in  the  form 
of  a  mailed  package  addressed  to  her  by  what  she 
instantly  recognized  as  the  same  hand  that  had 
addressed  the  bundle  of  books  and  music,  and  open- 
ing it  eagerly,  she  found  a  beautiful  pair  of  bead- 
embroidered  and  fringed  deerskin  slippers,  and  on 
the  front  of  each  was  painted  a  tiny  spray  of  flow- 


242  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

ers  with  a  bird  holding  it  in  its  beak.  With  these, 
also,  was  a  fan  with  tortoise  shell  handle,  that 
opening  disclosed  an  excellent  picture  of  a  rocky 
coast,  vista  of  ocean,  and  waves  leaping  over  the 
rocks,  quite  suggestive  of  a  breeze.  The  one  marvel 
of  the  gift  —  she  knew  it  came  from  Stacy  —  was 
that  the  slippers  fitted  her  dainty  feet  exactly ! 

And  recalling  how  he  had  stood  and  watched  her 
with  toes  pointing  upward  under  the  big  pine  tree, 
a  flush  came  to  her  face  at  thought  of  his  accurate 
memory  and  measure. 

"  It  won't  do  him  any  good,"  she  said  to  herself 
decisively,  feeling  in  the  slippers  to  find  if  he  had 
enclosed  a  card,  and  failing;  "they  are  two  beau- 
tiful gifts,  but  I  shall  never  leave  father." 

Then  she  hurried  up  to  her  room  and  hid  them, 
also  resolving  to  keep  the  arrival  of  these  a  secret. 


CHAPTER  XX 

STACY'S  trip  to  Seattle,  including  other  stops, 
had  consumed  more  time  than  "he  expected, 
and  it  was  almost  six  weeks  ere  he  alighted 
from  an  east-bound  train  at  Rawhide  Junction  once 
more.  He  had  wondered  many  times  how  Uncle 
Asa  had  come  out  of  his  bargain-driving  with  Otero, 
hoping  most  decidedly  that  it  had  been  successful. 
Hazel  had  been  in  his  thoughts  scores  of  times  each 
day  of  those  long  six  weeks,  and  once  during  a 
tiresome  wait  at  a  hotel  he  had  written  her  a  long 
letter,  detailing  his  visit  to  Rawhide  and  discoveries 
there,  then  from  a  peculiar  intuition  that  such  a 
missive  was  or  might  be  premature,  had  torn  it  up. 

"  She  distrusts  me,  and  will  until  this  business  is 
all  cleared  up,"  he  said  to  himself  rather  ruefully 
now,  "  and  any  attempt  to  disabuse  her  mind  before 
that  time  won't  help  matters.  If  it  all  comes  out  as 
I  hope,"  he  added  after  a  long  recalling  of  his  few 
meetings  with  the  cool  and  piquant  Hazel,  "  she 
will  see  me  in  a  different  light.  Until  then,  I'd  best 
keep  still." 

And  now  at  this  Junction,  with  an  hour  to  wait 
243 


244  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

and  nobody  to  help  him  do  so,  also  watching  the 
vanishing  train,  he  very  much  wished  himself  still 
on  it  and  speeding  eastward  towards  Oakdale ;  then 
sat  down  on  a  bench  outside  the  station  and  drew 
from  his  pocket  an  almost  week-old  New  York 
paper  bougfr  rof  the  train  boy  the  evening  previous. 
As  he  glanced  over  it,  the  name  "  Curtis  &  Com- 
pany "  in  big  type  caught  his  eyes.  Also,  and 
above  that,  the  caption  in  larger  letters  — 

"  THE  PASSAIC  RECLAIMING  AND  DE- 
VELOPMENT COMPANY. 
7%  GOLD  BEARING  BONDS." 

In  an  instant  Stacy  had  read  and  grasped  the 
entire  animus  of  this  advertisement;  Curtis  &  Com- 
pany, Mills  Building,  Wall  Street,  were  offering  for 
sale  the  perfectly  safe  and  most  remunerative  bonds 
ever  known !  That  the  dear  public  who  had  money 
to  invest  should  most  certainly  make  haste  and  send 
theirs  in  before  these  were  all  sold !  There  was  the 
usual  lengthy  explanation  of  how  in  case  these  gilt- 
edged  securities  were  over-subscribed  for,  allotments 
would  be  made  pro  rata  and  in  accordance  with 
date  received ;  would-be  investors  were  also  advised 
to  wire  their  subscriptions  in,  with  check  to  follow 
by  mail,  in  order  to  be  more  certain  of  obtaining  a 
few  of  these  rare  and  valuable  bonds.  The  name 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  245 

of  a  prominent  bank  was  given  as  the  one  where 
interest,  semi-annually,  would  be  paid,  and  a  long 
list  of  names  for  reference  followed.  All  in  all, 
it  was  the  usual  flamboyant  advertisement  so  often 
seen  in  New  York  papers,  also  those  from  other 
financial  centers. 

When  Stacy  had  grasped  this  one  with  all  it 
meant  to  him,  he  gave  a  loud  and  prolonged  whistle ! 

"  Well,  you  old  swindler,"  he  next  exclaimed, 
jumping  up,  "  now  I  have  you  right  where  I  want 
you,  scooped  and  bottled  up!  And  I've  got  the 
cork!" 

Then,  so  excited  was  he  that  he  started  down  the 
long  platform  to  walk  off  some  of  his  boiling  ex- 
citement. 

"  Well,  if  this  isn't  luck !  "  he  added,  now  halting 
to  cut  out  this  announcement.  "  I  am,  as  Uncle 
Asa  would  say,  a  goat  without  horns !  " 

And  just  then  a  vision  came  to  this  inveterate 
builder  of  air  castles,  and  he  saw  himself  with  Jim 
Harkins  and  another  officer,  also  perhaps  this 
Swede,  Tygson,  just  walking  into  the  office  of 
Curtis  &  Company,  and  quietly  but  firmly  request- 
ing him  or  Otero  to  sign  a  deed  of  Bear  Hole 
Swamp  for  "  one  dollar  and  other  considerations  " 
without  further  parley. 

"  And  he  will  do  it,  too,  without  a  murmur," 


246  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

asserted  Stacy,  glancing  up  to  see  the  Rawhide 
branch  train  backing  down  beside  the  station ;  "  do 
it  as  nonchalantly  as  though  buying  a  drink,  for 
that's  his  make-up,  a  dead  game  sport!  I  think 
the  proposition  to  visit  Rawhide  and  face  the  music 
would  phase  him,  however."  Then  Stacy  picked 
up  his  suit-case,  boarded  the  branch  train,  and  was 
soon  crawling  up  to  Rawhide. 

He  had  wired  Harkins,  who  met  him  at  that 
terminus,  and  the  two  shook  hands  eagerly. 

"Well,  what  luck,  friend  Harkins?"  Stacy  in- 
quired anxiously.  "  Got  any  facts  or  documents 
that  we  want  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes,  all  we  shall  need,"  returned  Harkins 
buoyantly.  "  I've  got  Tygson's  affidavit  detailing 
the  story  of  that  night's  orgie  and  his  part  in  it, 
and  he  is  more  than  anxious  to  go  East  and  face 
Curtis  North.  He  also  wants  some  plan  devised 
to  make  North  give  back  his  stolen  gold  or  its 
value.  He  had  about  twenty  thousand  dollars 
worth  of  dust  in  his  belt  that  night,  he  claims, 
and  the  murdered  man  double  that.  I've  had 
hard  work  to  keep  him  quiet,  and  not  demand  a 
warrant  and  officer  sent  to  arrest  North  at  once! 
I've  also  another  proof  positive,  a  picture  of 
North  found  by  someone  in  the  cabin  a  month 
after  the  murder.  It  had  been  tucked  in  back  of 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  247 

the  lithograph  of  a  race-horse  tacked  to  the  bare 
wall,  and  probably  left  there  by  one  of  the  women. 
I  got  this  through  our  friend  McCue,  who  knew 
who  had  taken  it  then.  I've  also  got  '  Bricktop ' 
located,  or  think  I  have.  She's  in  'Frisco,  or  was 
a  year  ago." 

"  Well,  you  have  got  a  full  hand  and  the  joker," 
laughed  Stacy,  as  they  now  alighted  from  the  car- 
riage taken  to  the  hotel.  "  Let's  have  something 
to  eat!  I'm  faint  from  fasting.  Then  after  I've 
breakfasted,  we'll  settle  on  our  plans.  I've  also 
got  a  surprise  for  you  —  read  that ! "  and  Stacy 
handed  him  the  clipped-out  advertisement. 

It  was  a  half-hour  before  Stacy  emerged  from 
the  dining-room,  for  this  high-altitude  town's 
bracing  air  had  made  him  ravenous.  Then  he  lit 
a  cigar,  found  Harkins  outside  on  the  piazza.,  also 
smoking,  and  sat  down  beside  him.  "  Well, 
Jim,"  he  said  in  off-hand  tone,  "  what  do  we  do, 
go  fetch  North  back  here  and  have  a  lynching 
party,  or  just  make  him  disgorge?  " 

"  Well,  it's  up  to  you,"  returned  Harkins,  "  and 
as  I  said,  you  can  have  either  one  or  t'other,  but 
not  both,  as  you  can  easily  understand.  Why  the 
man's  a  mark  now,  and  by  that  ad.  I  judge  he 
may  have  money  enough  to  pay  smart.  I  think," 
he  added  after  a  pause,  "  we'd  best  take  Tygson 


248  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

along  and  get  his  money  for  him.  Also,  and  in 
return  for  that,  make  him  sign  some  sort  of  paper 
certifying  that  this  was  a  loan  made  to  North 
by  him,  or  payment  for  mine  stock  and  now  re- 
turned. You  see,  I  am,  as  an  officer  of  the  law, 
placed  in  a  peculiar  position,  and  under  oath  not 
to  compound  a  felony  or  accept  bribes,  of  course. 
I  didn't  even  dare  tell  Tygson  I  knew  where  North 
was,  only  that  I  knew  someone  who  did  or  thought 
he  did.  For  me  to  go  to  New  York  as  an  of- 
ficer and  demand  money  of  North  under  threat  of 
arrest  and  not  make  it,  might,  if  found  out,  land 
me  in  jail.  You  can  ask  for  a  deed  of  your 
swamp  for  a  nominal  payment  legally,  Tygson  can 
demand  his  stolen  money  back,  I  can  be  stand- 
ing by  as  an  observer,  but  I  can't  do  any  demand- 
ing or  admit  I  have  a  warrant  for  the  arrest  of 
this  swindler.  You  must  do  the  talking,  I  stand 
by  as  a  bluff,  and  that  is  the  layout. 

"  I  will,  of  course,  go  with  you,  and  do  all  I  can 
for  a  brother  Mason,"  he  continued  after  another 
pause,  "  and  as  a  private  citizen,  or  I  will  go  as 
an  officer  with  a  warrant  for  this  man's  arrest. 
It's  a  choice,  and  for  you  to  decide  which  I  shall 
do." 

"  I  must  think  that  over  a  little,"  returned  Stacy 
slowly,  not  quite  grasping  the  legal  aspect  of  the 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  249 

case.  "  I  don't  care  to  lay  myself  open  to  the 
law,  or,  as  you  say,  compound  a  felony." 

"  You  won't  and  can't  unless  I  swear  I've  proved 
to  you  this  North  is  an  escaped  criminal,"  inter- 
rupted Harkins,  "  and  I  shall  not  do  that.  My 
idea  is  that  you  best  go  on  East  alone,  look 
things  over,  write  me  later,  and  if  you  say  so, 
Tygson  and  I  will  come  on  and  meet  you  in  New 
York.  You  may  want  to  investigate  this  new 
scheme  of  Curtis  &  Company,  and  perhaps  use  that 
for  a  lever  to  make  him  disgorge." 

"  I  presume  a  write-up  of  Curtis  North,  his  pic- 
ture and  a  certificate  of  Rawhide  stock  ready  for 
use  by  a  New  York  paper,  would  make  him  wince," 
mused  Stacy  in  response  to  this.  "  Anyhow,  I'll 
do  as  you  say,  Brother  Harkins  —  go  back  and  look 
the  land  over.  There  is  no  hurry,  and  I  don't 
know  yet  whether  my  Uncle  Asa  has  sold  his  swamp 
or  not.  If  not,  there  is  nothing  doing  for  us  until 
he  has,  that's  certain.  I  think  you'd  best  let  me 
take  that  picture  of  *  his  whiskers '  on  with  me," 
added  Stacy  after  a  pause,  "  also  the  buffalo  head 
fob.  I  can  use  Uncle  Asa's  certificate  of  Raw- 
hide stock  for  the  signature  of  Curtis  North,  ob- 
tain that  of  Pentecost  Curtis  from  the  hotel  in 
Barre,  then  make  a  photo  of  picture,  fob,  and  the 
two  signatures  on  one  plate.  A  sort  of  deadly 


250  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

parallel  proof  of  the  alias  business.  I  will  also 
write  up  the  Rawhide  history,  parallel  that  with 
this  new  Passaic  swindle,  and  say  —  wouldn't  the 
"  New  York  Universe  "  just  jump  at  such  an  ex- 
pose? That  paper  has  a  perfect  mania  for  the 
exposure  of  such  swindling  schemes,  a  world's 
record,  in  fact !  " 

And  once  more  Stacy  began  the  building  of  an 
air  castle,  and  saw  this  one  of  an  exposure,  not 
only  filling  an  entire  page  of  "  The  Universe,"  but 
copied  by  hundreds  of  other  leading  papers  as  well ! 

"  Your  scheme  is  all  right,"  laughed  Harkins  in 
response,  "  and  if  Curtis  &  Company  have  invested 
as  much  money  in  this  swindle  as  the  ad.  shows 
that  they  must,  you  can  easily  exchange  your  write- 
up  and  proof  for  a  deed  of  your  Uncle  Asa's 
swamp  and  no  questions  asked." 

"  And  poor  Tygson  get  left?  "  interrupted  Stacy. 

"  No-o,"  drawled  Harkins,  also  castle  building, 
"  he  and  I  could  come  on  later,  or  better  still,  be 
at  hand,  and  as  soon  as  you  got  your  deed  signed, 
witnessed,  and  in  your  pocket,  I  could  do  my  duty 
as  an  officer  —  and  there  would  be  something  do- 
ing in  Rawhide  later  on,  and  Curtis  North  would 
be  the  star  feature !  I  can  subpoena  *  Bricktop  '  as 
witness  for  the  State,  Tygson  will  swear  to  any- 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  251 

thing,  and  by  Jove,"  he  added,  slapping  his  knees 
sharply,  "  we've  got  him,  got  him  dead  to  rights ! 

"  It  does  me  good,"  he  almost  shouted,  "  to  see 
my  way  clear  to  string  that  villain  up,  for  it  was 
a  heartless  murder,  to  inveigle  and  dope  a  poor 
miner,  then  kill  and  rob  him !  " 

And  so  in  accord  in  the  cause  of  justice  were 
these  two  now,  that  they  jumped  up  and  shook 
hands  there  and  then. 

"We'll  do  it,  we'll  do  it,"  exclaimed  Stacy. 
"  I'll  start  East  to-night,  you  go  to  'Frisco  and  lo- 
cate '  Bricktop,'  then  come  on  when  I  wire  with 
Tygson,  and  the  trick  is  done !  " 

"  Better  still,"  asserted  Harkins,  wise  to  the  ways 
of  such  elusive  females  as  this  "  Bricktop,"  "  I'll 
fetch  the  red-headed  fairy  back  to  Rawhide  and 
lock  her  up  till  wanted.  Then  we've  got  her  safe. 
By  Jove,  we've  got  him,  got  him  sure!  I  can 
almost  see  him  swinging  in  a  bag  now !  And  how 
tickled  Tygson  will  be,  for  this  poor  Johnson  was 
like  a  brother  to  him,  he  says." 

Stacy  and  Harkins  now  made  another  tour  of 
Rawhide,  visited  its  Masonic  temple,  library,  club 
rooms,  and  called  on  the  unique  McCue,  who  so 
enjoyed  lynchings.  Then  that  afternoon  Stacy  de- 
parted for  the  long  ride  eastward,  well  satisfied 


252  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

with  what  he  had  accomplished,  and  with  his 
thoughts  on  Maple  Dell  and  the  fair  maid  dwelling 
there. 

"  If  only  Uncle  Asa  has  landed  Otero  I'll  have  a 
deed  of  Bear  Hole  Swamp  made  out  in  her  name," 
he  said  to  himself,  castle  building  once  more,  when 
the  seclusion  of  his  stateroom  on  the  night  sleeper 
was  reached,  "  and  give  it  to  her  for  a  Christmas 
present.  Wonder  how  the  slippers  fitted,  and  how 
the  dear  little  girl  is  anyhow?  She  is  a  cooler, 
she  is,  but  I'll  win  some  smiles  if  any  man  can! 
I  do  hope  Uncle  Asa  has  landed  Otero  all  right 
long  ago,  for  that  will  put  him  on  my  side  for 
keeps!  Then  I'll  go  ahead  and  build  our  dam,  in- 
duce one  or  two  capitalists  to  put  up  shops  and 
use  our  power  to  make  any  old  things  that  are 
useful,  start  a  real  estate  boom  in  sleepy  old  Oak- 
dale,  shove  up  a  few  new  houses,  dredge  that  har- 
bor, build  a  wharf,  run  a  trolley  line  between  that 
and  the  depot,  and  things  will  be  doing  in  old  Oak- 
dale  for  certain! 

"  And  why  not  use  Bear  Hole  Swamp  for  our 
reservoir,"  he  added,  now  thinking  of  it  for  the 
first  time,  "  and  have  storage  room  enough  to  turn 
a  million  spindles?  Also  save  Rocky  Glen  for  a 
trout  preserve,  and  let  Uncle  Asa  run  it?  Then 
we  can  dike  our  power  down  the  east  side  of  the 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  253 

valley,   build  shops  below   it,   and   save  the  town 
for  residences !     By  Jove,  I'll  do  it !  " 

All  of  which  goes  to  show  that  Stacy  was  not 
only  fast  falling  in  love  with  Hazel  Webster,  but 
capable  of  counting  a  thousand  chickens  before  they 
were  hatched. 


CHAPTER  XXI 

IT  was  almost  two  months  from  the  day  Stacy 
left  Albion,  west-bound,  until  he,  more  than 
glad  to  do  so,  alighted  from  an  early  morn- 
ing train  —  home  again!     He  sent  his  suit-case  to 
his  domicile  by  an  expressman,  breakfasted  at  the 
best  hotel,  and  reached  his  office,  as  he  expected, 
an  hour  ahead  of  his  partner.     All  the  clerks  and 
the  faithful  Ike  was  there,  and  Stacy  at  once  in- 
vited the  latter  into  their  private  office   for  con- 
sultation. 

"  Well,  Ike,  my  boy,"  he  then  queried  eagerly, 
"  any  news  from  Oakdale?  " 

"  Why,  yes,  very  important  news,"  responded  Ike 
with  a  knowing  smile  and  wink.  "  You've  been  eu- 
chred by  Pentecost  Curtis  and  Miss  Carmen's  ad- 
mirer, the  Spaniard,  who  have  bought  Bear  Hole 
Swamp  ahead  of  you !  " 

"  Hurrah  for  our  side,  Rah !  Rah ! "  exclaimed 
Stacy,  slapping  Ike  on  the  back.  "  This  seems  too 
good  to  be  true !  How  did  you  find  it  out  ?  " 

"  Why  one  of  the  Barre  Committee,  fellow  by 
the  name  of  Alton,  J.  Smith  Alton,  his  card  says. 

254 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  255 

came  in  and  told  us  about  it.  Said  he  thought  we 
ought  to  know  it.  He  was  here  over  a  month 
ago,  sporting  around  with  Miss  Carmen.  I  saw 
them  twice,  once  going  into  the  Jap  Garden,  and 
once  out  to  Riverside  theater,"  and  Ike  smiled 
wisely  again.  "  The  little  dude  was  out  of  town,  I 
guess,"  he  added,  "  but  he's  back  now.  I  saw 
him  on  the  street  last  week." 

"  That's  all  right,  more  than  right,"  returned 
Stacy,  chuckling,  "  and  now,  Ike,  I'll  post  you  on 
what's  doing.  Mr.  Leon  Otero,  having  bought 
Bear  Hole  Swamp  of  Uncle  Asa,  as  I  planned  to 
have  him  do,  notified  the  Barre  chap  to  come  here 
and  tell  us,  then  finding  I  was  out  of  town,  went 
to  New  York  to  confer  with  and  assist  his  backer 
in  a  new  scheme  they  are  at  work  upon.  He  has 
also  notified  the  Barre  Committee  where  he  is  to 
be  found  when  wanted,  and  is  awaiting  my  return 
anxiously,  to  work  the  great  twist  act  on  us.  Miss 
Carmen  is  also  waiting  for  the  other  bracelet  and 
her  share  of  the  spoils.  And  they  will  both  wait 
a  long  time,  and  some  more  at  that!  Now,  Ike" 
—  and  Stacy  paused  to  formulate  his  next  move  on 
this  peculiar  chessboard  — "  I  want  you  to  get  some 
chum  of  yours,  fellow,  of  course,  and  you  two 
go  around  together  each  evening  where  this  Otero 
is  likely  to  go,  and  when  you  spot  him,  get  near 


256  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

enough  for  him  to  hear,  then  begin  telling  your 
friend  of  a  good  joke  you  heard  lately  of  the  Town 
Committee  of  Barre  or  someone  buying  a  swamp 
named  Bear  Hole  in  Oakdale  for  a  dam  site,  when 
/another  one  had  already  been  bought  by  Bemis, 
Colby  &  Company  for  that  same  purpose.  En- 
large upon  and  laugh  over  the  huge  joke  on  the 
party  who  bought  Bear  Hole  Swamp,  then  go 
away;  or,  better  still,  after  some  other  exchange, 
separate  in  opposite  directions.  Do  you  under- 
stand?" 

"  Sure,"  returned  the  now  city-wise  Ike,  "  that's 
an  easy  stunt,  and  I'll  go  at  it  at  once.  I  might 
expedite  matters  by  locating  the  hotel  this  Otero 
stops  at  —  I  know  him,  but  he  don't  know  me  — 
and  the  trick  can  be  turned  right  away."  Then 
the  dutiful  Ike  returned  to  his  work  in  the  outer 
office,  and  Stacy  awaited  Colby  with  much  eager- 
ness. He  arrived  shortly  after,  and  the  two  part- 
ners greeted  each  other  cordially. 

"Well,  old  man,"  asserted  Colby  'after  the 
hand-shake,  "  I'm  mighty  glad  to  see  you  back  safe 
and  sound.  When  did  you  fetch  in  ?  " 

"  This  morning  on  the  sleeper.  How's  every- 
thing, and  Aunt  Carrie?  Seen  her  lately?" 

"  She's  o.  k.,  and  so  is  everything  else,  and  you've 
done  finely  to  land  that  extra  order  for  drills," 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  257 

responded  Colby,  who  had  the  habit  of  condensing 
a  good  deal  in  a  few  words.  "  But  the  Barre  folks 
are  getting  uneasy,  your  friend  Otero  has  bought 
the  dam  site  they  suppose  we  want,  which  squares 
your  Uncle  Reuben,  as  you  wanted,  so  you  best  go 
there  in  a  day  or  two  and  pacify  them.  Get 
rested  first,  however.  I've  got  a  couple  of  sur- 
veyors engaged,"  he  added  hurriedly.  "They  can 
go  with  two  days'  notice,  and  you  know  what's 
to  be  done." 

"  They  can  wait  till  I  want  them,"  returned  Stacy 
decisively,  "  but  I'm  going  to  Oakdale  on  the  noon 
train,  however ;  lands  me  there  in  time  for  supper." 

"  With  the  fair  maid  of  shortcake  fame,  of 
course,"  smiled  Colby,  facing  around  from  his  desk 
again.  "  You  are  stung,  as  I  remarked,  and  I'm 
in  for  the  five-hundred-plunk  present,  I  see,  and 
glad  of  it!  By  the  way,  how's  your  sleuth  act 
panning  out  ?  Got  Curtis  North  in  limbo  yet  ?  " 

"  No,  but  as  I've  got  my  Uncle  Reuben,  as  you 
call  him,  out  of  it,  I'll  have  North  on  a  limb  later. 
Tell  you  all  about  it  when  I'm  back.  Give  me  a 
check  for  three  hundred ;  I'm  broke,"  and  the  hus- 
tling Stacy,  waiting  only  for  that,  added,  "  Ta,  ta, 
see  you  in  a  week,"  and  hurried  out  of  the  office. 

Like  his  partner,  he  was  not  addicted  to  long  ex- 
planations or  waste  of  time  over  business  mat- 


258  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

ters.     With  him  it  was  to  think  and  act  almost 
simultaneously,  as  he  was  now  doing. 

He  cashed  his  check  within  five  minutes  after 
the  bank  opened,  bought  four  fresh  outing  shirts, 
some  ties  and  collars,  rushed  around  to  a  candy 
store  for  a  five-pound  box,  halted  at  a  barber's 
for  a  shave  and  hair  cut,  then  jumped  into  a  cab 
and  arrived  home  at  ten-fifteen  exactly,  and 
ordered  "  Cabby  "  to  call  for  him  in  time  for  the 
twelve-forty-five  train  out.  He  also  rushed  into 
the  house,  kissed  his  aunt  dutifully,  said,  "  I'd  like 
dinner  at  twelve,  sharp,"  hurried  upstairs,  took  a 
bath,  repacked  his  suit-case,  and  was  down  stairs 
at  eleven-twenty  precisely,  looking  spick  and  span 
in  a  fresh  summer  suit. 

"  Now,  Aunty,"  he  said,  plumping  into  a  big 
chair  near  her,  "  I've  got  just  an  hour  to  tell  you  all 
about  it,  then  I'm  '  off  agin,  Finnegan.' ' 

"  Why,  what's  your  rush,  Stacy  ?  "  she  returned 
pleadingly.  "  You  have  been  gone  two  months,  and 
now  you  stay  home  just  an  hour!  It  —  it  isn't 
treating  me  right !  " 

"  No,  no,  it  isn't,  Aunty,"  he  assented,  soothingly. 
"  It's  an  outrage,  I  admit.  But  I've  got  pressing 
business  in  Oakdale,  and  that  milkmaid  who  says 
*  Haow '  is  waiting  for  me  —  I  hope.  I  shall  be 
home  again  in  a  few  days,  and  give  you  a  five 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  259 

hours'  talk.  Here's  something  I  brought  you,"  and 
opening  the  package  she  found  a  table-spread  of 
soft  deerskin,  with  an  astounding  picture  of  In- 
dians seated  around  a  campfire,  and  a  pair  of  beaded 
moccasins.  Of  course  she  exclaimed  over  them, 
grateful  to  be  remembered,  as  all  old  ladies  are. 

"  I  hope  you  will  have  good  luck  in  Oakdale, 
Stacy,"  she  assured  him  benignly,  when  he  was  de- 
parting again,  "  and  remember,  when  you  do  bring 
a  good  wife  here,  it  will  be  the  happiest  day  I've 
known  for  a  long  time." 

"  Even,  if  she  does  chew  gum,  and  say  '  Laws- 
a-massy ! '  '  laughed  Stacy,  then  kissed  his  aunt, 
gratefully  this  time,  and  was  whirled  away. 

It  was  just  sunset  when  he  once  more  crossed 
the  Rocky  Glen  Brook,  nearing  Oakdale,  also  eight 
weeks  and  two  days  since  Uncle  Asa  had  bade  him 
God-speed  at  the  station.  And  now,  glancing  at 
this  brook  (his  own,  as  he  recalled  with  satisfac- 
tion), its  diminished  volume  struck  him  as  ominous, 
for  the  long  hot  summer  had  reduced  it  to  a  mere 
rill.  Hazel's  schoolhouse,  a  poor  little  brown  hut 
—  seemingly  so  now  —  was  next  passed,  and 
brought  a  thrill  to  his  heart ;  the  village  street,  soon 
entered,  was  without  an  occupant,  and  looking  across 
the  opening  vista  of  meadow  to  the  thicket  of  trees 
marking  the  entrance  to  Maple  Dell,  Stacy  felt  that 


26o  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

somehow  these  past  eight  weeks  had  linked  his 
heartstrings  and  life  plans  almost  irrevocably  with 
or  to  the  "  maiden  rare "  abiding  there.  How 
she  fared,  or  possibly  felt  towards  him,  was  like 
the  twilight  now  concealing  the  enclosing  hills,  and 
as  vague  as  they.  But  a  faint  glow  above  these 
from  the  rising  moon  was  increasing,  and  to  Stacy 
just  now,  that  seemed  an  omen  of  favor;  also  made 
him  wish  he  could  fly  to  that  sequestered  spot. 

Sam  and  the  Old  Guard  were  now,  as  invariably 
on  summer  evenings,  lined  up  on  the  piazza  as  he 
alighted  from  Uncle  Levi's  old  carryall,  and  Sam, 
seeing  who  it  was,  sprang  to  his  feet  with  a  "  Hullo, 
Mister  Whipple,  by  gosh,  I'm  glad  to  see  ye," 
grasped  Stacy's  suit-case  and  almost  dragged  him 
inside.  "  Come  right  along,"  he  added,  in  his 
anxiety  to  make  his  guest  welcome,  "  'n'  I'll  hev 
suthin  cooked  special  ez  it's  past  supper  time. 
What  'ud  ye  like  ?  I  kin  gin  you  some  steak,  some 
fried  lobsters,  or  I  kin  brile  ye  a  spring  chicken, 
only  that  takes  longer." 

And  this  receptio'n  warmed  Stacy's  heart  as 
naught  else  had  for  two  months  now,  and  assured 
him  that  he  was  in  favor  at  Oakdale,  or  at  least  at 
Sam's  hostelry. 

"  Go  right  up  to  the  front  room,  yew  know 
yewr's,"  Sam  added,  and  as  Stacy  had  admitted 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  261 

fried  lobster  would  suit  him,  he  then  vanished 
kitchenward  to  order  it. 

The  presiding  genius  of  the  dining-room  who 
answered  to  "  Norah  "  also  smiled  on  Stacy  later 
on,  and  then,  when  well  fed  and  back  to  the  piazza, 
he  felt  that  he  must  break  away  from  the  talkative 
Sam  as  speedily  as  possible,  for  Maple  Dell  was 
calling  him. 

"  I  hope  ye' re  goin'  to  make  a  good  stop  with 
us,  Mr.  Whipple,"  ventured  Sam  as  Stacy  came  out, 
evidently  anxious  to  keep  him  there  for  the  even- 
ing. "  Sit  down  'n'  tell  us  what's  kept  ye  'way 
so  long?  I  cal'lated  yew'd  be  back  fishin'  in  your 
own  brook  long  'go?  'Scuse  me  fer  seemin'  'quisi- 
tive,"  he  added  eagerly,  "  but  we've  ben  hearin'  so 
many  yarns  'bout  ye  or  what  ye  war  goin'  to  do 
here,  I  —  wal,  I  —  I'm  powerful  glad  to  see  ye  any- 
how! I  s'pose  ye  know  thar's  ben  'nother  feller 
here  to  buy  B'ar  Hole  Swamp,  didn't  ye  ?  " 

And  then  Stacy  had  to  laugh  at  Sam's  adroit  way 
of  relieving  his  suspense  without  being  impertinent. 

"  Yes,  I  have,"  admitted  Stacy,  still  smiling  and 
resolving  to  have  some  fun  with  Sam  in  turn  and 
square  an  old  score.  "  I  know  this  chap,  Otero,  has 
bought  Bear  Hole  Swamp  for  a  big  reservoir  and  is 
to  put  up  a  power  house  and  some  shops  below  as 
well.  Have  heard,  also,  he  has  bought  or  is  to  buy 


262  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

your  hotel  site  and  build  a  big  modern  one  for  sum- 
mer visitors,  that  the  harbor  is  to  be  enlarged,  a  line 
of  steamers  put  on  to  New  York,  and  lots  more 
doing.  Have  you  had  an  offer  for  your  hotel  ?  " 

"  Good  Lord,"  gasped  Sam,  "  do  ye  mean  it  or 
am  I  dreamin'  ?  "  Then  with  a  quizzical  glance  at 
Stacy  he  added,  "  Yew  kin  take  my  hat  on  yarnin', 
yew  kin!  I  ain't  seven-spot  high  in  the  game,  not 
a  minute !  But  thar's  suthin'  brewin',  'n'  —  wal, 
I'll  'low  ye'r  square  with  me  fer  B'ar  Hole  Swamp, 
all  right,  all  right !  " 

"  I  evened  that  up  when  you  signed  the  deed  for 
Rocky  Glen  gorge  for  six  hundred  dollars,  Sam," 
laughed  Stacy,  "  for  it  is  there  I  may  build  a  dam 
and  put  up  a  power  house,  and  I  would  have  paid 
three  thousand  dollars  or  even  more  for  it  if  obliged 
to.  I  am  willing  to  allow  we  are  quits  on  Bear 
Hole  Swamp,  Sam.  You  needn't  feel  bad,  however. 
Later  on  I  will  show  you  how  to  square  yourself  in 
money  for  practically  giving  me  the  Rocky  Glen 
site." 

And  then  Sam  Gates,  the  sharpest  and  shrewdest 
Yankee  in  Oakdale,  realized  that  he  had  met  his 
match  and  been  outwitted. 

"  I  shall  have  a  couple  of  surveyors  here  in  a  few 
days,  Sam,"  continued  Stacy,  now  resolving  to  re- 
lieve that  worthy's  suspense,  "  and  we  will  probably 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  263 

begin  building  a  dam  right  away,  for  my  firm  has 
a  contract  to  supply  electric  power  to  Barre  within 
a  specified  time.  I  shall  make  my  home  here  in 
your  excellent  hotel,  so  will  some  of  my  best  men ; 
we  shall  also  have  a  gang  of  laborers  to  house  and 
feed  at  low  cost.  I  can  pay  you  well  for  your  as- 
sistance in  providing  for  all  these  men,  if  you  will 
give  it.  Now  you  know  what  I  came  here  for  two 
months  ago.  Also  why  I  had  to  look  over  Bear 
Hole  swamp  and  furnish  you  an  excellent  joke." 

"  But  what  'bout  the  other  feller,  'n'  his  buyin' 
B'ar  Hole,"  gasped  Sam,  "  fer  he  did  'n'  paid  'n  un- 
godly price  fer't,  too?  " 

"  Did  you  send  him  into  it  ahead  of  the  game?  " 
queried  Stacy,  beginning  to  laugh. 

"  O'  course,  o'  course,"  chuckled  Sam ;  "  I  had  to 
do  that,  he  war  sich  a  stuck-up  little  store-winder 
figger  he  needed  goin'  through  that  swamp  to  take 
the  conceit  out  o'  him.  'N'  it  did,"  he  added,  now 
shaking  with  laughter,  "  fer  Uncle  Asa  had  to  fetch 
him  back;  'n'  all  B'ar  Hole'd  left  on  him  war  jist  a 
few  muddy  rags  'n'  one  eye  to  see  outen.  He  looked 
wuss'n  a  weasel  drownded  in  mud,  he  did,  'n'  so  mad 
he  wanted  to  lick  me !  " 

"  And  bought  the  swamp  after  that  ?  "  queried 
Stacy,  now  joining  in  the  laughter.  "  He  probably 
saw  its  value  as  a  hoax  and  wanted  it  for  his 


264  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

friends.  Swamps  like  that  are  scarce  in  this  world, 
Sam!  But  don't  feel  grieved.  It's  still  there,  and 
you  can  still  send  newcomers  into  it." 

Then  glancing  at  the  rising  moon,  he  continued, 
*'  Now  I'm  going  to  stroll  down  and  call  on  Uncle 
Asa,"  and  so  escaped  from  Sam  and  the  Old  Guard, 
now  agog  over  this  astounding  disclosure. 

"  It's  Hazel  he's  anxious  to  see,"  asserted  Sam 
after  Stacy  was  well  away  from  the  piazza,  "  'n'  by 
gosh,  if  she  ketches  him  she's  a  winner! " 

"Yew'd  orter  told  him  'bout  Martha's  lightin' 
out,"  drawled  Lazy  Luke,  "  'n'  prepared  him  fur  the 
shift." 

"  Why  didn't  yew  do  it  ?  "  demanded  Sam. 

"  How  could  I  ? "  retorted  Luke  in  measured 
tone.  "  Yew  'n'  him  war  a  clackin'  every  minit,  'n' 
nobody  else  could  git  a  word  in !  " 

And  far  away  on  the  lonely,  houseless,  moonlit 
road,  Stacy  was  striding  onward,  oblivious  to  all  the 
excitement  his  arrival  was  to  stir  in  Oakdale,  for 
just  ahead  was  a  bewitchingly  cool  maid  who  held 
the  key  of  his  future  life. 


CHAPTER  XXII 

FOR  almost  two  months  Stacy  had  thought 
about  and  lived  over  his  few  meetings  with 
Hazel  many  times;  also  recalled  her  dainty 
form,  rose-tinted  complexion,  and  soulful  eyes  al- 
most daily  during  that  time.  "  A  fool  illusion,"  he 
kept  reiterating  to  himself.  "  She's  a  wonderfully 
bright  and  charming  country  lass,  smooth  of  speech 
as  a  polished  city  girl,  and  keen  as  a  razor  at  repar- 
tee. But  she  distrusts  me,  didn't  take  to  me  over- 
well  at  first,  and  it's  either  forget  her  or  I'm  in  for 
a  heartache,  I  guess." 

But  he  couldn't  do  that,  and  in  spite  of  the  deep- 
laid  and  sinister  plots  and  schemes  he  was  now  try- 
ing to  circumvent  in  the  cause  of  justice,  or  else 
evade  himself,  Hazel  kept  intruding  her  personality. 
He  had  also,  as  she  shrewdly  surmised,  set  about  the 
rescuing  of  Uncle  Asa's  foolish  investment  for  the 
double  purpose  and  kindly  wish  to  aid  both  him  and 
Hazel,  with  her  gratitude  as  final  outcome.  This 
had  been  done,  as  he  now  knew;  Uncle  Asa  had 
probably  played  his  role  successfully  and  obtained  a 
good  price  for  his  swamp;  Hazel  knew  it,  also,  and 
265 


266  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

Stacy's  part  in  that  direct  restitution,  and  she  ought 
by  this  time  to  feel  that  he  was  an  honest  well- 
wisher  of  her  father  and  herself,  and  receive  him 
accordingly. 

But  would  she? 

And  now  reaching  the  foot  of  the  maple-shaded 
lane  and  sequestered  dell,  he  halted,  realizing  that 
his  unannounced  call  so  late  in  the  evening  was 
in  rather  poor  taste. 

"  She  may  be  abed,"  he  thought,  "  and  will  think 
I'm  crazy  to  call  now." 

But  it  would  do  no  harm  to  reconnoiter  the  old 
house;  she  might  be  on  the  porch  with  Uncle  Asa 
or  —  better  still  —  alone,  and  so  he  continued  up 
the  lane.  Half  way  to  the  house  and  out  upon  the 
evening  air  now  came  to  him  the  mingling  of  several 
voices  singing  to  sharper  piano  accompaniment,  and 
hastening  onward  Stacy  heard  the  last  verse  and 
chorus  of  "  The  Quilting  Party  "  trilled  and  borne 
to  him  adown  the  dell's  perfect  quietude.  He  felt 
sure  that  there  was  no  need  of  hesitating  now;  no 
one  would  be  looking  out,  so  he  hastened  on  and 
from  outside  the  shrub-enclosed  dooryard  soon  saw 
Hazel  at  the  piano,  a  group  of  young  folk  around 
her,  and  facing  the  window  through  which  Stacy 
now  glared,  was  the  citified  fellow  he  had  seen  with 
her  in  a  hammock  two  months  previous ! 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  267 

And  just  then  Stacy  felt  —  well,  it  is  needless  to 
assert  how ! 

Another  song  was  immediately  forthcoming  from 
this  happy  group  of  smiling  faces,  Hazel's  exquisite 
voice  leading  in  it,  and  as  if  to  add  an  extra  thorn, 
that  particular  song  was  one  of  the  recent  popular 
ones  Stacy  had  sent  her ! 

Only  for  a  minute  or  two  did  or  would  Stacy 
remain  an  observer  of  this  scene;  he  could  be  no 
part  of  it,  he  felt  it  rude  thus  to  play  eaves-dropper, 
and  turning,  hurried  back  to  the  lane  again,  feeling 
woefully  left. 

And  then  whom  should  he  see  just  emerging  from 
the  meadow  across  the  street  but  Uncle  Asa ! 

A  few  quick  strides,  a  "  Hello,  Uncle  Asa,"  from 
him,  a  "  Wai,  hullo !  By  the  great  horn  spoon,  Mis- 
ter Whipple !  "  in  louder-keyed  response,  and  Stacy 
saw  him  drop  a  bundle  and  basket,  leap  forward, 
and  grasp  both  his  hands  in  cordial  eagerness. 

"  Wai,  wal,  wal,"  continued  Uncle  Asa,  holding 
Stacy's  hands,  "  ef  this  ain't  a  s'prise !  Why  didn't 
ye  write  me  ?  Good  Lordy,  but  I'm  glad  to  see  ye ! 
'N'  so'll  Hazel  be!  Come  right  up  to  the  house! 
When'dyegithere?" 

"  To-night,"  returned  Stacy  with  more  calmness, 
"  and  came  down  as  soon  as  I  could  get  away  from 
Sam.  How  are  vou  and  how  is  Miss  Hazel  ?  " 


268  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

"  Oh,  fine's  a  fiddle,  both  on  us !  Come  right  up 
to  the  house  'n'  see  the  gal  fer  yerself."  And  Uncle 
Asa  picked  up  basket  and  bundle  and  grasped  Stacy's 
arm.  "  I've  a  lot  to  tell  ye,"  he  added  eagerly, 
"  'bout  how  I  skun  that  snake  in  the  grass  you  sent 
me,  'n'  took  his  hay!  Nine  thousand  five  hundred 
fer  that  mire  hole!  Think  on't!  'N'  it's  in  the 
bank,  too,  'n'  I've  ben  singin'  halleluiah  three  times 
a  day  ever  since ! "  And  so  overjoyed  was  Uncle 
Asa  that  he  slapped  Stacy  on  the  back. 

"  I've  got  suthin  else  to  tell  ye,"  he  added  more 
seriously.  "  Martha's  gone !  " 

"  What  —  dead  ?  "  queried  Stacy,  astonished. 

"  No,  jist  gone,"  returned  Uncle  Asa  in  droll  tone. 
"  The  Lord  hain't  took  her  to  His  bosom  yet  'n'  — 
wal,  it's  a  question  in  my  mind  as  to  jist  what  her 
address  will  be  in  the  next  world,  anyhow.  But 
come  right  'long  'n'  see  Hazel." 

"  No-o,  I'd  better  not  to-night,"  responded  Stacy, 
halting.  "  Your  daughter  has  company,  a  lot  of 
young  people  —  I  walked  up  near  enough  to  see  — 
.and  I'd  rather  not  disturb  them." 

"  That's  nothin',"  declared  Uncle  Asa  assuringly, 
"  only  Jennie  Oaks  'n'  Molly  Bascom  'n'  some  o'  the 
young  folks  come  down  fer  a  sing,  I  cal'late.  I 
went  down  the  crick  to  pull  my  pots  'n'  didn't  know 
it.  They'll  go  away  perty  soon.  Why,  I've  ben 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  269 

waitin'  two  months  to  see  ye  —  I  won't  let  ye  go 
now,"  and  he  grasped  Stacy's  arm  again  to  pull  him. 

"  We  will  go  up  and  sit  outside  a  little  while 
then,"  answered  Stacy,  yielding,  "  and  to-morrow  I 
will  call  and  pay  my  respects  to  Miss  Hazel."  And 
back  up  the  lane  he  went  with  Uncle  Asa. 

Somehow,  too,  just  now,  as  Stacy  came  in  sight 
of  the  quaint  old  rookery  of  a  house  once  more,  half 
hid  by  the  two  luxuriant  clusters  of  lilac  and  trel- 
lised  porch  between,  its  outstretching  light  and 
Uncle  Asa's  warm  welcome  all  made  it  seem  like  a 
home-coming  to  him.  That  Hazel  had  these  callers 
to  enjoy  a  sing  now  appeared  differently,  and  really 
no  reflection  on  him  or  his  unexpected  arrival. 
Instead,  he  now  felt  it  to  be  an  evidence  of  her 
popularity  among  Oakdale's  young  folk.  More 
than  that,  had  he  only  known  how  little  respect  she 
actually  had  for  this  cigarette-smoking  young  fop 
from  Barre  whose  ideas  and  repartee  were  limited 
to  "  Yaas,"  "  Now,  really,"  "  You  surprise  me,"  and 
whose  most  thoughtful  utterances  seemed  vapid  to 
Hazel,  Stacy  would  have  felt  less  chagrin  at  seeing 
him  watching  her  so  admiringly ! 

But  Stacy  didn't,  which  was,  or  was  likely  to  be, 
a  decided  advantage  to  Dan  Cupid. 

"  We'll  sit  out  here  under  the  big  maple  tree  back 
o'  the  grin' stun,"  remarked  Uncle  Asa,  now  leading 


270  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

the  way  to  it,  "  so's  to  be  in  the  shadder,  'n'  they 
can't  see  us,  or  they'll  stop  singin'. 

"  'N'  it  sounds  good  to  me,  jist  fer  'nuff  'way,  'n' 
moonlight,"  he  added,  as  they  both  stretched  them- 
selves on  the  greensward,  "  'speshly  Hazel's.  I've 
heerd  the  parson  run  on  perty  consid'ble  'bout  angels 
singin',  but  when  she  jist  lets  herself  out  —  wal, 
I'm  thar  in  a  minnit,  'n'  don't  want  no  harps  twang- 
in'  in,  either." 

And  just  then,  as  if  to  prove  his  assertion,  Hazel's 
voice  rose  sweet,  clear,  and  like  a  flute  in  that  old- 
time  ballad,  "  Beautiful  Bells." 

Stacy  had  expected,  was  anxious,  in  fact,  now  to 
hear  Uncle  Asa's  version  of  what  had  occurred,  but 
neither  uttered  a  word  until  this  song  was  finished ; 
or  then  either,  for  next  came  another  old-timer, 
"  Speed  Away,"  and  following  that  what  Stacy 
afterwards  learned  was  Hazel's  favorite,  "  The  Last 
Rose  of  Summer."  Then  the  chat  and  laughter  in- 
side began  again.  Stacy  saw  Hazel  go  out  to  the 
dining-room  and  return  with  a  tray  of  what  he  as- 
sumed were  refreshments,  and  then  Uncle  Asa  spoke 
again. 

"  I  s'pose  first  of  all,  Mr.  Whipple,"  he  said  so- 
berly, "  ye're  wonderin'  how  'n'  why  Martha  lit  out 
'n' —  wal,  I'd  rather  not  tell  jist  the  reason,  'cause 
she's  gone,  'n'  most  likely  never'll  set  foot  in  this 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  271 

town  agin.  She's  gone  to  her  sister's  in  Goshen, 
that's  'bout  thirty  mile  from  here,  'n'  I  cal'late  nei- 
ther on  us  is  sheddin'  tears,  mebbe.  Martha's  ways 
wa'n't  my  ways,  she  sorter  —  so  it  seemed  —  fig- 
gered  all  me  'n'  the  farm  'n'  Hazel  was  fer  was  to 
gin  her  a  chance  to  salt  down  money.  I  gin  her 
'bout  all  that  come  in  'cept  my  lobster  money  'n'  now 
'n'  then  a  load  of  hay  to  run  the  house  on;  Hazel 
paid  board,  'n'  'bout  all  we  got  was  salt  mack'rel 
fer  breakfast,  'n'  o'  course  could  make  dinner  'n' 
supper  on  water  mainly,  ez  she  cal'lated.  Then  she 
was  pizen  to  Hazel ! 

"  And  then  " —  with  a  long  pause  — "  the  night 
arter  I  got  hold  o'  that  big  roll  o'  money  —  Martha 
found  it  out  o'  course  — 'n' — 'n'  suthin  happened 
that  I'd  never  quite  believed  'thout  Hazel  seen  it  ez 
she  did.  'N'  next  day  Martha  went  away,  'n'  that's 
all  I'll  ever  say  'bout  it.  The  money's  in  the  bank 
now,  I'm  goin'  to  have  the  farm  'prized  'n'  pay 
Martha  her  dower  right,  'n' — all  I  kin  say  is  a 
man  kin  be  fergiven  fer  makin'  a  drivilin'  idjit  'n' 
biled-down  dern  fool  of  himself  once  —  if  he  does 
it  twice  he'd  orter  be  kicked  into  next  year! 

"  I've  got  Aunt  Sally  Perkins,  Molly  Bascom's 
aunt,  to  keep  house  fer  us;  she's  good  ez  gold  'n' 
all  wool,  rastles  with  the  Lord  night  'n'  mornin', 
'n'  thinks  the  only  thing  Hazel  lacks  is  wings. 


272  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

Likewise  the  only  thing  I'm  real  shy  on  is  failin* 
to  say  grace  'fore  every  meal.  'N'  she  kin  cook  ekal 
to  Hazel's  mother,  V  that's  —  some." 

"  But  tell  me  about  your  bargain  with  my  friend, 
Otero,"  rejoined  Stacy  smiling,  for  he  saw  or  knew 
that  Martha  had  tried  to  steal  this  money  as  surely 
as  though  Uncle  Asa  had  said  so ;  "  did  it  work  out 
about  as  I  said  ?  " 

"  Why,  'twas  like  takin'  candy  'way  from  chil- 
dren," laughed  Uncle  Asa,  "  'n'  Sam  helped.  He 
sent  this  little  snippet,  silk  shirt,  blue  tie,  tall  collar, 
'n'  dude  hat  on,  into  B'ar  Hole  ez  a  starter,  'n'  he 
fetched  out  arter  ten  hours  o'  black  flies,  Mohawk 
briars,  mud  'n'  hornets,  so  done  up  he  jist  lay  down 
'n'  bellered  like  a  calf.  'N'  all  he  had  left  on  him 
wuz  the  seat  o'  Sam's  pants!  He  wuz  so  bushed, 
too,  he  was  only  able  to  cuss  in  a  whisper !  I  took 
him  back,  'n'  Sam  said  he  wuz  so  mad  when  he  got 
his  breath  he  wanted  to  kill  somebody ! 

"  Next  day  he  showed  up  lookin'  slick  agin,  'n' 
then,  Lord,  how  I  did  sass  him!  Rubbed  it  into 
him  'bout  snakes  not  bein'  willin'  to  bite  him  till  — 
wal,  if  he'd  had  a  knife  I  think  he'd  'a'  stuck  it  inter 
me! 

"  'N'  then  I  took  nine  thousand,  five  hundred 
outen  him  jist  like  pullin'  plums  off'n  a  tree,  'n'  sorry 
I  didn't  make  it  ten !  I  could,  too,  for  I  had  him  so 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  273 

harrowed  up  he'd  'a'  gin  it  without  a  squeal."  And 
Uncle  Asa  shook  with  laughter  at  his  recollections. 

"  You  did  it  all  fer  me,  Mr.  Whipple,"  he  con- 
tinued, sobering,  "  saved  my  life  'most,  'n'  Kingdom 
Come  fer  Hazel.  I  feel  you'd  orter  hev  half  that 
money,  too,  'n'  if  thar's  anything  I  kin  do  fer  you 
long's  I  live,  it's  yourn',  no  matter  what." 

"  You  are  more  than  welcome  to  the  advice  I 
gave,  which  was  all  I  did  do,"  returned  Stacy  seri- 
ously, "  and  the  only  return  I'd  like  is  for  Hazel 
to  become  convinced  that  I  acted  from  unselfish  mo- 
tives and  to  avenge  your  having  been  robbed  by  a 
plain,  every-day  thief  as  you  were.  Only  you 
mustn't  tell  her  so,"  he  added  after  a  pause,  "  or 
even  hint  it.  As  I  said  to  you  on  the  shore  that 
day,  that  conviction  must  force  itself  upon  her,  or 
she  will  dislike  me  ever  after.  No  young  lady  of 
her  spirit  can  be  told  that  she  has  been  mistaken 
in  a  man,  and  not  resent  it." 

And  just  then  these  two  from  partial  ambush  be- 
hind the  grindstone  saw  the  little  band  of  Hazel's 
callers  bid  her  good-night  and  troop  away  down  the 
lane. 

"  Now  we'll  go  in,"  said  Uncle  Asa,  rising  speed- 
ily, "  so  Hazel  kin  see  ye.  I  know  she'll  be  glad, 
too." 

"  No,  decidedly  no,"  returned  Stacy.     "  I  posi- 


274  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

tively  would  not  so  intrude!  She  has  been  enter- 
taining her  friends,  must  be  tired,  and  so  please  give 
her  my  compliments  and  say  I  shall  take  the  liberty 
of  calling  to-morrow  evening.  If  you  are  going 
down  to  pull  your  pots  to-morrow  afternoon  I'd  like 
to  go  with  you.  I've  a  long  story  of  more  interest 
to  you  than  you  can  guess.  I  also  want  your 
advice." 

"  I'll  go,  you  bet,"  was  the  speedy  assurance,  "  'n' 
we'll  start  top  o'  the  tide  'bout  two." 

"  I'll  be  at  your  boathouse  at  two,"  replied  Stacy, 
also  rising,  and  handing  Uncle  Asa  the  box  of 
candy  he  had  brought,  "  Please  give  this  to  Miss 
Hazel  from  me  and  assure  her  that  I  enjoyed  her 
singing  very  much."  Then  he  hurried  away. 

To  his  surprise,  also,  he  found  Sam  alone  on  the 
piazza  awaiting  him  when  he  reached  the  hotel,  for 
that  astute  Yankee  had  by  this  time  seen  a  new 
horizon  opening  above  Oakdale,  the  possibilities  of 
which  made  him  almost  gasp. 

"  I've  ben  waitin'  up  to  see  ye,  Mr.  Whipple,"  he 
assured  Stacy,  now  rising  to  meet  him.  "  Hev  a 
cigar,  'n'  let's  talk  matters  over."  And  Stacy,  feel- 
ing sure  that  the  one  preferred  must  be  Sam's  best, 
lit  it,  dropped  into  one  of  his  big  chairs,  glanced 
over  the  vista  of  broad  meadows  to  where  the  moon 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  275 

silvered  the  bordering  ocean,  and  awaited  what 
might  come. 

"  Now  fust  of  all,"  began  Sam,  also  lighting  a 
cigar,  "  I  want  to  tell  ye  I  hope  ye  don't  lay  up  any- 
thing agin  me  on  account  o'  the  trick  I  played, 
sendin'  ye  into  that  swamp?  It's  a  habit  o'  mine, 
sich  jokes,  'n'  'bout  all  I've  got  to  'liven  up  life 
here.  'N'  I'm  goin'  to  'low  I'd  'a'  done  jist  what 
ye  did,  buy  that  Rocky  Glen  gorge  ez  ye  did,  'n'  I 
take  off  my  hat  to  your  slickness.  Yew're  all  right, 
yew  be !  Now,  ez  the  sayin'  is,  whar  are  we  at  on 
this  new  deal,  'n'  what  kin  I  do  to  help  ye?  " 

"  And  my  worthy  friend  Sam  Gates  at  the  same 
time,"  laughed  Stacy,  who  understood  the  race  of 
men  who  live  "  beside  the  highway  of  life." 

"  Wai,  o'  course,  in  a  way,"  drawled  Sam,  "  only 
ez  ye  got  yer  dam  site  a  damn  sight  less'n  'twas 
wuth  to  ye,  ye  might  —  wal,  jist  gin  me  a  hint  'bout 
buyin'  up  some  land  yew  don't  really  need,  'n'  may 
riz  ?  I  don't  s'pose  yew  want  all  the  persimmons  on 
the  bush?" 

And  then  Stacy  laughed  heartily  at  this  Yan- 
keeism! 

"  No,  Sam,"  he  returned,  still  chuckling,  "  you 
can  have  all  I  can't  use  conveniently,  and  Til  put  you 
wise  if  you  will  do  one  thing  for  me?  " 


276  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

"  I'll  do  it,  sure's  a  gun,"  responded  Sam  unsus- 
pectingly. "  What  is  it  ?  " 

"  You  promise,  do  you,  Sam,  on  your  honor?  " 

"  I  do,  sartin." 

"Well,  then,  if  to-morrow  you  will  rig  up  for 
fishing,  go  down  through  Bear  Hole  Swamp,  and 
give  what  trout  you  catch  to  Hazel  Webster,  I  will 
in  one  month  from  to-day  tell  you  where  to  buy  land 
that  is  sure  to  quadruple  in  price  in  a  year!  Now 
I  have  your  promise,  Sam !  " 

"  Kinder  gittin'  square  with  int'rest,  ain't  ye  ?  " 
responded  Sam,  grinning,  "  but,  b'gosh,  I'll  do  it ! 
Yew're  goin'  to  build  below  Rocky  Glen,  so  o'  course 
land  up  thar'll  riz,  won't  it?  " 

"  I  didn't  say  so,  Sam,"  replied  Stacy,  laughing 
again.  "  I  said  I  might.  I  bought  that  to  catch 
trout  in ! " 

"  'N'  ye've  ketched  me  comin'  'n'  goin',"  admitted 
Sam,  grinning  ruefully,  "  but  if  ye'll  promise  to  keep 
whist  'n'  not  tell  the  old  hulkers  here,  I'll  do  ez  I 
said  to-morrow." 

"  And  I'll  keep  my  promise,  Sam !  " 

Then  Stacy,  satisfied  with  the  way  he  had  squared 
himself  with  the  irrepressible  Sam,  went  to  bed. 


CHAPTER  XXIII 

^  T"OU  needn't  keep  your  promise  to  fish 
If  Bear  Hole  Brook,  Sam,"  Stacy  assured 
-"•  him  next  morning.  "  I  was  only  jolly- 
ing you.  Besides,  trout  are  not  good  so  late  in  the 
season."  For  over  night  Stacy  had  thought  better 
of  himself,  and  to  send  that  old  and  fat  landlord 
through  this  morass  seemed  a  pointless  and  cruel 
joke. 

"  I'll  tell  you  about  our  plans  in  due  time,"  he 
added.  "  In  fact,  when  it  comes  to  buying  land  as 
a  speculation  I  think  we  had  better  go  into  part- 
nership. You  know  the  value  now  better  than  I  do, 
who  owns  it,  can  drive  better  bargains,  and  if  you 
want  to  go  in  with  me  on  some,  I'll  furnish  the  cap- 
ital and  allow  you  one-third  of  the  profit." 

"  I'll  do  it,  yew  bet,"  admitted  the  shrewd  Sam, 
"  'n'  mighty  glad  o'  the  chance !  " 

And  so  the  first  practical  step  towards  the  erection 
of  Stacy's  city  was  taken  and  the  firm  of  Whipple, 
Gates  and  Company  thus  started. 

"  I  shall  want  Uncle  Asa  in  with  us,"  added 
277 


278  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

Stacy.  "  He  owns  a  lot  of  land  that  will  —  if  my 
plans  work  out  —  become  valuable,  and  —  well,  I 
think  a  good  deal  of  Uncle  Asa." 

"  I'm  willin',  more'n  willin',"  asserted  Sam,  "  fer 
he's  all  right,  honest,  'n'  a  perty  shrewd  old  duck 
arter  all ;  we  three  kin  make  a  team." 

And  they  did,  and  one  that  in  after  years  prac- 
tically controlled  the  little  city  that  grew  up  where 
sleepy  Oakdale  now  stood. 

After  breakfast,  Stacy  started  out  on  a  tour  of 
inspection,  first  to  Rocky  Glen  Brook.  And  now  its 
small  volume  in  contrast  to  the  Bear  Hole  stream  at 
this  season  again  occurred  to  him.  A  reservoir  was 
possible  here  in  the  gorge,  but  in  comparison  with 
the  mighty  power  and  capacity  of  one  in  the  Bear 
Hole  Swamp  valley,  a  mere  pigmy ! 

His  next  move  was  to  climb  the  hill  west  of  that 
and  survey  its  area.  And  now  looking  over  that 
and  recalling  stage-driver  Uncle  Levi's  past  asser- 
tion that  "  Natur  had  riz  hills  all  'round  on  pur- 
pose fer  a  dam,"  Stacy  realized  its  force. 

"  Here  is  the  place  for  our  reservoir,"  he  declared, 
after  a  long  look  around,  then  down  the  valley  to  the 
bordering  ocean,  "  and  alongside  the  valley  with  a 
canal  above  is  where  factories  must  be  put  up  and 
save  Oakdale  for  residences.  This  is  and  must  be 
the  inevitable  outcome  and  plan  of  my  city,  for 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  279 

reservoir  space,  volume  of  water,  and  location  all 
force  it. 

"  By  Jove,  they  do  without  question !  "  he  added, 
after  another  long  look  around.  "  And  there  is 
timber  enough  in  that  swamp  to  build  a  thousand 
houses ! " 

And  just  now  the  deed  of  this  unquestionable  site 
whose  value  might  soar  into  tens  of  thousands  of 
dollars  was  in  the  name  of  Leon  Otero,  backed  by 
the  most  unprincipled  sharper  in  New  York  City ! 

"  I've  got  to  get  possession  of  that  grant ;  it's  a 
case  of  woodchuck  now!  "  Stacy  again  asserted,  re- 
calling this  fact.  "  Got  to  twist  Curtis  North,  or 
my  city  collapses! 

"  I'm  afraid  I've  made  the  mistake  of  my  life,"  he 
continued,  starting  down  through  the  undergrowth 
toward  the  village  again,  "  by  putting  up  the  scheme 
to  save  Uncle  Asa  and  a  paltry  four  thousand  dol- 
lars. If  ever  Curtis  North  realizes  or  guesses  my 
plans,  fifty,  no,  a  hundred  thousand  dollars  won't 
buy  it  back  unless  it's  to  save  his  neck !  " 

And  just  then  Jim  Harkins,  Rawhide,  and  the 
Passaic  Reclaiming  Company  flashed  into  Stacy's 
mind. 

He  dined  once  more,  served  by  the  gum-chewing 
Norah,  and  this  time  two  of  that  omnipresent  genus 
"  ye  drummer  "  were  also  being  entertained. 


280  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

"  Is  it  an  omen,  or  advance  guard  of  commerce?  " 
thought  Stacy,  sizing  them  up  by  sidewise  glances. 
Then,  hurrying  through  his  meal,  he  started  down 
towards  Maple  Dell  and  to  Uncle  Asa's  boathouse. 
To  his  surprise  and  gratification,  also,  on  near  ing 
it  he  saw  Hazel  seated  beside  it  and  Uncle  Asa  in 
his  boat,  both  apparently  awaiting  him.  She  arose 
speedily  as  he  came  down  the  narrow  walk,  smiled, 
extended  her  hand,  and  a  "  How  do  you  do,  Mr. 
Whipple,  I  am  very  glad  to  see  you  again,"  was  his 
greeting. 

And  just  then  Stacy's  heart  gave  an  unusual  throb 
of  satisfaction  also. 

"  I  am  not  going  to  intrude  on  you  and  father  this 
afternoon,"  she  added,  after  Stacy's  expression  of 
pleasure  in  again  meeting  her.  "  Only  I  wanted  to 
thank  you  as  soon  as  possible  for  the  beautiful  gifts 
you  have  remembered  me  with,  and  invite  you  to 
tea.  I  can't  promise  strawberry  shortcake  again, 
however." 

"  Your  smiles  and  yourself  are  enough,"  he  re- 
turned gallantly.  "  I  assure  you  that  I  have  been 
counting  the  days  till  I  could  see  you  again." 

"  I  think  you  were  very  unkind  not  to  come  in  last 
evening,"  she  responded  archly.  "  Were  you  bash- 
ful?" 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  281 

"  Yes,  that  was  the  reason,"  smiling  once  more, 
"  and  then  I  didn't  want  to  intrude." 

"Well,  don't  let  it  happen  again,"  glancing  at 
Uncle  Asa,  patiently  awaiting  his  passenger,  "  and 
come  back  early.  Our  tea  will  be  ready  at  six- 
thirty." 

And  this  was  Stacy's  reception  by  the  elusive 
Hazel  after  so  long  an  interim,  and  a  more  cordial 
one  than  he  had  hoped  for,  though  not  one  he  might 
presume  upon,  however,  as  he  knew  full  well. 

And  then,  with  the  tide  at  half  ebb  and  running 
strong,  they  made  good  time  down  the  winding 
creek,  and  in  less  than  an  hour  were  tossing  upon  the 
ocean  billows  while  Uncle  Asa  pulled  his  pots.  He 
only  drew  a  dozen  of  the  nearest  ones,  secured  per- 
haps twenty  lobsters  of  legal  size,  then  rowed  back 
inside  the  small  harbor,  pitched  his  catch  into  a 
floating  car,  and  pulled  up  to  the  old  wharf. 

"  We'll  jist  set  down  fer  an  hour  or  so,"  he  then 
said,  leading  the  way  up  to  the  little  grove,  "  'n'  hev 
a  smoke  talk,  'n'  go  back  so  not  to  keep  the  wimmin 
waitin'." 

And  Stacy,  reading  this  genial  Uncle  Asa  aright, 
knew  that  to  bring  Hazel -and  himself  together  as 
much  and  as  often  as  possible  was  now  his  sole 
thought  and  plan. 


282  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

And  Stacy  was  quite  willing ! 

"  Well,  Uncle  Asa,"  he  began,  after  the  two  were 
seated  with  cigar  and  cob  pipe  alight  —  Uncle  Asa 
had  refused  Stacy's  proffered  cigar  — "  I  promised 
you  a  story  of  interest  and  you  shall  have  it  now. 
To  begin,  your  friend,  Curtis  North,  alias  Pentecost 
Curtis,  is  an  escaped  murderer,  and  now  in  New 
York  engineering  another  swindle  much  like  the  one 
he  duped  you  with,  and  the  sheriff  of  Rawhide  is 
ready  and  anxious  to  take  him  back  and  swing  him 
up!" 

"  Good  Lord !  "  gasped  Uncle  Asa,  scarce  grasp- 
ing all  this.  "  How'd  ye  find  all  that  out,  'n'  is  this 
little  Otero,  mixed  in  ?  " 

"  Very  much  so,"  Stacy  returned  assuringly,  "  in 
fact,  equally  guilty  in  law,  and  as  likely  to  swing  for 
it."  And  then  he  began  at  the  beginning  of  this 
astounding  discovery  and  told  the  story  of  his  visit 
to  Rawhide,  what  he  had  learned  there,  and  what  his 
plans  and  expectations  were  in  full. 

"  I  may  want  to  take  you  to  New  York,"  he  con- 
cluded, "to  identify  and  help  scare  this  Curtis 
North,  also  Otero,  into  signing  a  deed  of  Bear  Hole 
Swamp  that  I  want,  and  then  if  all  works  well,  Har- 
kins,  another  officer  or  two,  and  this  Tygson  will 
walk  in  upon  Curtis  &  Company  and  take  them  back 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  283 

to  Rawhide!  What  will  then  happen  to  them  I'll 
leave  you  to  guess !  "  . 

"  Oh,  Lordy,  Lordy,  this  seems  too  good  to  turn 
out  so,"  exclaimed  Uncle  Asa  with  a  shout,  "  'n'," 
with  an  admiring  look  at  Stacy,  "  yew  sartinly  are  a 
wizard  o'  the  fust  water  to  ketch  them  two  devils, 
ef  ye  do!" 

"  Well,  I  mean  to,"  asserted  Stacy  modestly, 
"  and  soon,  too,  within  a  month.  I  just  ran  up  here 
to  look  things  over,  call  on  you  and  Hazel,  stay  a 
day  or  two,  then  I'm  off  to  finish  matters  if  I  can. 
I've  got  to  prepare  a  write-up  of  both  the  Rawhide 
swindle  and  this  new  one  of  'his  whiskers,'  make 
photographic  copies  of  his  picture,  the  watch  fob, 
his  signature  as  Curtis  North  on  your  mine  cer- 
tificate, and  as  Pentecost  Curtis  on  the  Barre  Hotel 
register,  also  one  of  these  Passaic  bonds,  these  of 
course  to  be  duplicated.  And  when  I  have  this  gun 
loaded,  I  shall  wire  Hawkins  to  bring  Tygson  to 
New  York,  then  come  here  for  a  day's  visit  and  take 
you  on  to  help  and  see  the  fun.  I've  a  faint  idea 
that  when  Curtis  North  sees  us  four  and  glances  at 
my  write-up,  he  may  wilt,  '  jist  a  trifle,'  as  you 
would  put  it !  Eh,  Uncle  Asa  ?  " 

"  Yew  bet  he  will,"  shouted  Uncle  Asa,  exploding 
in  laughter,  "  'n'  by  hokey,  I'll  ask  him  if  he  won't 


284  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

lead  us  in  prayer  arter  the  deed  is  signed,  same's  he 
did  here  at  the  meetin's !  "  And  that  keen  humor- 
ist, quick  to  see  the  funny  side  of  everything, 
laughed  until  tears  almost  came. 

"'N'  ef  he  ain't  feelin'  in  jist  the  mood  for 
prayin',"  he  added,  chuckling,  "  I'll  ask  him  ef  he 
won't  jist  sing  one  verse  o'  *  The  Sweet  Bye  'n'  Bye  ' 
to  kinder  prepare  his  mind  fer  Rawhide  'n'  the  cere- 
monies thar,  I  will,  by  cricky ! " 

"  We  must  be  slow  and  careful  in  this  matter," 
cautioned  the  more  serious  Stacy.  "  You  mustn't 
hint  what  I've  told  you,  not  even  to  Hazel  as  yet, 
for  it  might  get  back  to  Barre  through  her  friends. 
One  of  the  Committee  knows  this  Otero,  and  not 
until  I've  got  this  Bear  Hole  deeded  back  and  Curtis 
North  taken  must  a  soul  in  Oakdale  know  what's 
afoot.  Is  Squire  Phinney  one  who  can  keep  a 
secret  if  he  is  paid  to  do  so?  " 

"  He  is,  sartinly,"  returned  Uncle  Asa  assur- 
ingly,  "  ef  thar's  a  dollar  in  it,  yew  bet,  fer  the 
Squire  likes  'em  better'n  any  man  in  Oakdale  'n'  he's 
got  more,  too !  He's  the  richest  man  here." 

"  Well,  I  can  fix  him  then,"  complacently,  "  for 
I  must  obtain  a  copy  of  the  Bear  Hole  deed  when  I 
come  back  after  you. 

"And  now,  Uncle  Asa,"  he  continued  after  a 
pause,  "  I  have  another  matter  to  discuss  with 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  285 

you.  If  all  my  plans  work  out  right,  how  would 
you  like  to  go  into  partnership  with  Sam  Gates  and 
myself  in  a  land  speculation  here?  I  have  made  up 
my  mind  that  Bear  Hole  Swamp  is,  after  all,  the 
best  site  for  a  reservoir.  Once  a  dam  is  up  and 
such  a  magnificent  power  ready  at  hand  and  known 
abroad,  capital  will  rush  to  Oakdale;  this  harbor 
deepened,  land  for  factories  will  be  in  sharp  de- 
mand, and  we  three  can  manipulate  matters  as  we 
see  fit. 

"  I  have,  or  can  obtain  capital  enough  to  buy  half 
of  Oakdale  at  present  valuation;  all  you  need  put 
in  is  your  experience  and  good  horse  sense." 

"  I'll  do  anything  ye  want  o'  me,  'n'  dern  glad 
to,"  Uncle  Asa  assured  him  with  a  twinkle  in  his 
eye,  "  but  ez  fer  my  hoss  sense  —  wal,  figgerin'  on 
the  showin'  I've  made  the  last  few  years,  ye  must 
think  I  need  a  keeper?  I've  seen  days  arter 
broodin'  over  that  mine  stock  V  smartin'  from 
Martha's  sassin',  when  the  only  thing  I  felt  like 
doin'  war,  go  to  some  deep  hole  in  the  crick,  say 
'  Here  goes  nothin','  'n'  jump  in !  I  guess  I'd  V 
done  it,  too,  ef  'twan't  fer  Hazel." 

"  But  you  landed  that  wily  Otero,"  responded 
Stacy  assuringly,  "  and  I  have  faith  in  you.  No 
stupid  could  have  bluffed  him  as  you  did."  Then 
he  began  a  further  elaboration  of  his  plans  for  city 


286  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

building,  where  streets  must  be  laid  out  and  inter- 
sect, a  canal  constructed  along  the  hillside,  where 
factories  should  be  put  up  to  use  this  power,  and 
how  in  due  time  a  small  fleet  of  coasters  would  be 
anchored  in  this  secure  harbor  not  ten  rods  from 
where  they  now  sat! 

Then  Uncle  Asa,  who  had  listened  attentively  to 
this  astounding  revelation,  spoke  up.  "  Mr.  Whip- 
pie,"  he  said,  "  ef  yew  hain't  got  the  greatest  think- 
out  thinker  in  yewr  attic  I  ever  heerd  on,  I'm  a  goat ! 
Why,  ye're  jist  startin'  with  a  dam  up  back  o'  my 
4iouse  V  grindin'  out  a  whole  city  full  o'  people! 
Talk  about  the  feller  in  one  o'  Hazel's  books  who 
rubbed  the  lamp  'n'  got  anything  he  wanted  —  wal, 
he  ain't  in  it  a  minnit  with  yew,  he  ain't.  All  yew 
got  to  do  is  to  rub  yer  head,  'n'  a  hull  city  sprouts 
up!" 

"  I  don't  wish  and  won't  allow  your  quaint  old 
house  or  Maple  Dell  to  be  disturbed,"  asserted 
Stacy,  smiling  at  Uncle  Asa's  compliment,  and  castle 
building  again.  "  It  is  too  picturesque  and  secluded 
a  nook  for  that.  I'd  like  to  build  a  miniature  cas- 
cade leaping  into  a  small  pond  in  the  brook  in  front 
of  the  house  to  keep  trout  in,  however,  with  rustic 
seats  and  swans  to  add  charm.  I  think  I  shall  make 
a  trout  preserve  of  the  Rocky  Glen  gorge,  also,  and 
as  Hazel's  old  schoolhouse  will  be  out  of  date  then, 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  287 

I'll  set  it  up  in  a  grove  overlooking  that  for  a  kind  of 
summer  house." 

"  Ye're  figgerin'  on  livin'  here,  too,  I  cal'late," 
interrupted  Uncle  Asa  anxiously.  "  I  hope  so,  any- 
way." Then  he  sighed  as  the  magnitude  and  con- 
ception of  all  these  changes  and  obliteration  of  old 
landmarks  forced  itself  upon  him.  "  I  wish  you 
would  come  'n'  live  here,"  he  continued,  "  fer  you'll 
sartinly  be  the  hull  thing  then?  " 

"  Well,  that  depends,"  returned  Stacy  musingly, 
and  after  a  long  pause.  "  I  have  no  fixed  plans  for 
myself  in  the  future,  but  —  if  a  certain  cool  and 
sagacious  little  lady  I  know  became  interested  in  me 
and  my  new  city,  I  might  decide  to  make  it  my 
home." 

Then  Uncle  Asa  smiled  contentedly. 

"  I  cal'late  she  will  ef  she's  o'  the  same  mind  ez 
her  old  dad,"  he  said. 

"  Curis,  curis,  how  things  come  about,"  he  added 
reflectively,  "  'n'  now,  Mr.  Whipple,  I'm  goin'  to 
tell  ye  suthin  mebbe  ye  don't  understand.  When  ye 
fust  showed  up  outen  that  swamp,  razood  some  but 
still  gimpy,  I  took  to  ye  on  sight.  I  did  more  the 
next  day  'n'  the  next,  seein'  how  kinder  philosophic 
you  took  the  way  them  gals  desarted  ye  on  the 
beach.  But  Hazel  didn't.  She  s'pected  from  the 
start  ye  war  'nother  Curtis  North  here  to  skin  me." 


288  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

"  I  knew  it;  have  known  it  all  along,"  interrupted 
Stacy  smiling,  "  but  I  didn't  mind  that.  What  a 
man  is,  will  become  known  sooner  or  later  whether 
he  wills  it  or  not.  No  man  can  conceal  himself  for 
long." 

"  'N'  ye  noticed,  too/'  continued  Uncle  Asa,  un- 
heeding this  and  smiling,  "  how  Hazel  come  down  to 
the  boathouse  jist  to  meet  ye?  I  didn't  ask  her  to, 
jist  said  you  'n'  I  war  goin'  down  the  crick  this 
afternoon,  'n' — wal,  that  gal  kep'  an'  eye  on  me 
every  minnit  arter  that,  'n'  when  I  started  she  war 
at  my  heels  like  a  cat !  You  kin  bet  she's  figgered 
yew  out  all  right  by  now,  ef  she  is  my  gal." 

Then  Stacy,  glancing  out  over  and  far  up  the  lone 
and  lonely  shore  upon  which  a  long  line  of  inrolling 
billows  was  beating  in  solemn  monotone,  smiled  con- 
tentedly at  this  consoling  assurance.  He  had  never 
doubted  but  that  it  would  come  in  due  time ;  now  it 
had  come,  and  the  way  was  open  for  a  fair  and 
manly  assault  upon  the  citadel  of  Hazel's  heart ! 

"  I  think  we'd  best  be  starting  back,"  he  said, 
consulting  his  watch  after  a  long  five  minutes  of 
this  pleasant  retrospection,  during  which  Uncle  Asa 
watched  him  curiously.  "  We  mustn't  keep  Miss 
Hazel's  tea  waiting." 

"  I  think  so,  too,"  assented  Uncle  Asa,  rising 
speedily,  "  'n'  we'll  start  right  now." 


CHAPTER  XXIV 

SEVERAL  times  during  his  two  months'  trip 
westward  with  its  frequent  recollections  of 
Hazel,  Stacy  had  made  mental  contrast  of  the 
two  meals  partaken  of  at  her  home  —  the  first  a 
charming  tete-a-tete  one  with  her  as  combined  serv- 
ing maid  and  hostess,  the  second  a  ceremonious 
affair  made  uncomfortable  by  Martha's  absurd  and 
clumsy  flatteries  —  so  that  now  on  returning  with 
Uncle  Asa  to  be  on  time  for  a  third  one,  he  felt 
both  curious  and  uncertain  as  to  how  it  would  pass 
off.  Also  what  manner  of  person  this  new  house- 
keeper would  prove  to  be. 

"  Things  are  a  trifle  mixed  at  the  house  now," 
Uncle  Asa  had  assured  him  on  leaving  the  boathouse, 
"  'n'  Aunt  Sally,  that  I  told  ye  'bout,  ain't  quite 
sartin  yit  jist  what  is  'spected  of  her.  Hazel  is  the 
boss,  ez  I  want  her  to  be,  but  Aunt  Sally  has  notions 
'n'  perty  sot  in  'em ;  so  ye  see  it  takes  time  for  them 
two  to  git  'malgamated,  so  to  speak.  Yew  won't 
mind  it,  though,  fer  both  on  'em'll  feel  you're  im- 
portant company." 

To  be  so  considered  was  not  to  Stacy's  liking, 
289 


290  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

however,  just  now.  He  much  preferred  to  be  ac- 
cepted as  one  of  the  family,  with  Hazel  as  hostess. 
He  had  no  occasion  to  fear  annoyance,  though,  as 
the  sequel  proved,  or  aught  to  make  his  anticipated 
meal  and  evening  anything  but  charming. 

To  begin  with,  the  maples  that  embowered  Uncle 
Asa's  ancient  and  picturesque  abode  were  a  golden, 
glowing  mass  of  foliage  in  the  sunset  light  as  Stacy 
walked  up  the  lane,  with  here  and  there  a  cluster  of 
scarlet  leaves  to  accentuate  the  yellow.  The  arbor- 
vitse  hedge  enclosing  the  dooryard  was  of  vivid 
green,  the  flower  beds  within  were  flashes  of  bright 
color,  and  each  added  a  softening,  chastening  effect 
to  the  old  brown  dwelling,  half  hid  by  the  two 
monster  lilac  shrubs. 

"  Yew  go  right  into  the  front  door,"  Uncle  Asa 
directed  as  the  yard's  gate  was  reached,  "  'n'  I'll  go 
'round  to  the  kitchen."  And  so  doing,  the  crowning 
touch  of  color  was  added  in  Hazel  herself,  who  — 
evidently  on  watch  and  clad  in  a  rose-hued  gown  — 
opened  that  door  to  meet  and  greet  the  arriving 
guest. 

"I  am  glad  to  see  you  so  punctual,"  she  said, 
smiling  her  welcome  with  a  gracious  bow.  "  Walk 
in,  and  we  will  await  tea  in  the  parlor.  Allow  me 
to  take  your  hat." 

And  just  then  Stacy  felt  sure  that  his  face  and 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  291 

hands  needed  soap  and  water,  and  that  his  hair  must 
be  awry. 

"  It  has  seemed  quite  a  long  time  since  you  were 
here,"  she  added,  after  his  greeting,  and  both  were 
seated.  "How  long  is  it?" 

"  Just  two  months  and  eight  days,"  he  returned 
after  a  moment's  thought.  "  I  was  last  here  on 
June  twenty-sixth." 

"  And  summer  has  almost  passed  since  then,  and 
I'm  so  sorry  for  I  dislike  the  melancholy  days,  and 
Nature's  demise  with  dread  of  winter  just  ahead." 

"  So  do  I,"  he  responded  briskly,  "  only  we  in  the 
whirl  of  city  life  don't  notice  it  as  much.  To  me, 
an  autumn  day's  outing  in  the  country  is  a  rare  treat, 
and  always  eagerly  anticipated." 

"Of  course  because  it's  a  change,"  with  a  slight 
sigh,  "  but  if  you  were  forced  to  watch  the  falling 
leaves  day  after  day  alone,  you  would  feel  other- 
wise. But  " —  smiling  again  — "  tell  me,  please, 
why  you  were  so  —  so  ungracious  last  evening 
when,  as  I  assume,  you  came  down  to  call  on  me 
and  didn't?" 

"  Bashfulness  pure  and  simple,  especially  simple," 
he  admitted,  also  smiling,  "  and  fear  that  I  should 
spoil  the  good  time  you  were  having.  I  obtained 
the  best  of  it,  however,  for  let  me  assure  you  your 
singing,  heard  from  outside,  was  charming." 


292  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

"  I  shall  excuse  you  on  the  score  of  bash  fulness, 
then,"  flushing  at  this  obvious  compliment,  "  and 
trust  you  may  overcome  it  in  the  future."  And  just 
then  a  tall,  angular,  and  severe-faced  lady,  slightly 
gray,  entered  the  parlor,  bowed  graciously  to  Stacy, 
and  said,  "  Our  tea  is  ready,  Miss  Hazel,"  with  nod 
to  her. 

"  This  is  Miss  Perkins,  our  Aunt  Sally,  Mr. 
Whipple,"  said  Hazel,  rising  and  thus  introducing 
them,  before  leading  the  way  into  the  dining-room. 
Halting  at  the  seat  designated  for  him  by  Hazel, 
Stacy  now  noticed  that  a  new  and  more  modern  din- 
ing-table  and  chairs  had  replaced  the  old  ones,  also 
that  there  was  a  pretty  and  daintily  decorated  din- 
ner set,  and  a  rug  in  place  of  the  old,  faded  rag  car- 
pet, while  this  Aunt  Sally's  very  ceremonious  and 
deferential,  if  austere,  manner  was  in  pleasing  con- 
trast to  the  red-headed  personage  who  had  flattered 
him  so  nauseatingly.  Uncle  Asa  came  in  the  next 
moment,  so  changed  in  garb  that  Stacy  scarcely 
knew  him.  He  wore  a  well-fitting  business  suit  of 
gray,  a  turndown  collar  and  pretty  four-in-hand  tie 
instead  of  the  high  one  and  stock  of  a  former  oc- 
casion, and  looked  ten  years  younger  by  the  change. 
"  It's  Hazel's  doings,"  thought  Stacy,  and  then  the 
meal  began. 

And  now  Hazel,  conscious  no  doubt  (as  Stacy 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  293 

imagined)  that  their  household  change  would  make 
him  feel  ill  at  ease,  and  yet  was  one  he  could  not 
question,  showed  her  charming  tact  at  once. 

"  I  have  been  so  anxious  to  hear  about  your 
western  trip,  Mr.  Whipple,"  she  began  with  the 
pouring  of  the  tea,  "  that  I  can  hardly  wait  for  its 
telling.  I  am  interested  in  that  wonderful  country, 
especially  its  grand  mountains  and  beautiful  scenery, 
as  you  may  recall,  and  now  won't  you  please  tell  us 
all  about  it  ? 

"  Everything,"  she  added,  smiling  encouragement, 
"no  matter  what!  Indians,  if  you  met  any;  cow- 
boys shooting  up  a  town,  a  train  holdup,  if  one  hap- 
pened to  you  —  all  will  be  welcome  and  new  to  us." 

And  thus  encouraged  and  inspired  —  as  well  as 
might  be  by  this  charming  hostess  —  Stacy,  a 
fluent  talker,  began  at  once  and  between  times  for 
an  hour,  while  the  tea  biscuit,  cold  chicken,  quince 
sauce,  and  other  delicacies  were  passed,  that  trio 
heard  a  concise  yet  well-told  tale  of  all  he  had  seen 
or  heard  during  that  two  months'  journey.  He 
even  touched  upon  Rawhide  and  its  marvelous 
growth  and,  to  add  humor,  described  McCue  and 
quoted  his  laughable  comments  upon  lynchings, 
shootings,  and  the  fun  the  "b'ys  had  in  the  ould 
toimes,  begorra ! " 

All  reference  to  Curtis  North  was  omitted  for 


294  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

obvious  reasons,  however,  and  when  the  meal,  or  its 
last  item  —  delicious  home-grown  peaches  and  pears 
—  was  disposed  of,  Hazel  arose,  led  the  way  back  to 
the  parlor,  lit  the  lamps,  and  for  the  first  time  since 
that  one  charming  hour  on  the  porch  two  months 
previous,  Stacy  was  alone  with  her. 

And  just  now,  in  the  soft  glow  of  these  shaded 
lights  and  garbed  as  she  was  in  rose-tinted  raiment, 
her  cheeks  akin  to  one  of  the  peaches  he  had  just 
devoured,  "  eyes  dancing,  lips  entrancing  " —  well, 
suffice  it  to  say  that  it  now  dawned  on  Stacy  Whip- 
pie  (erstwhile  cynical  bachelor)  that  nowhere  in  the 
wide  world  had  he  ever  met  or  was  likely  to  meet 
again,  so  beautiful  and  charming  a  maid!  More 
than  that,  so  enamored  was  he  by  this  time,  that  only 
his  cool  good  sense  and  command  of  himself  pre- 
vented a  rash  and  quite  premature  assertion  of  that 
fact. 

"  Do  you  know,  Miss  Webster,"  he  said  instead, 
and  after  they  were  seated  again,  "  that  I  have  re- 
called your  Maple  Dell,  yourself,  and  this  quaint  old 
home  of  yours  countless  times  since  I've  been  away? 
Also,  and  even  oftener,  the  first  time  I  saw  you 
under  the  pine  tree  and  that  ghost  music  I  heard 
before  I  knew  its  source?  You  may  think  it's 
funny,  but  every  time  I  do  so  recall  that  first  vision 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  295 

of  you,  I  begin  humming  or  whistling,  '  Don't  you 
hear  dem  bells  a-ringing?  '." 

"  It  is  funny,"  she  answered,  "  also  proof  conclu- 
sive that  you  are  amenable  to  the  fear  of  ghosts. 
You  thought  it  was  spook  music  you  heard  that  day 
in  the  woods,  so  the  scare  has  kept  you  humming  it 
ever- since." 

"  I'm  willing  to  allow  that,"  he  admitted,  smiling 
at  her  telltale  flush,  "  also  that  spooks  do  now  and 
then  materialize  into  charming  maidens  who  play  the 
auto-harp  and  frighten  easily." 

"  And  run  away  from  mud-covered  ogres,"  she 
interrupted,  "  for  you  were  a  sight  to  behold  that 
day  and  " —  laughing  now  — "  all  that  kept  me  from 
fainting  was  the  faith  that  I  could  run  faster  than 
you  and  so  escape." 

"  I  guess  you  can  in  more  than  one  sense,"  with 
an  admiring  glance,  "  but  I  shall  not  allow  it  if  I 
can  help  it,  you  may  be  sure."  Then  desiring  to 
tease  her  he  added,  "  By  the  way,  who  was  the 
exquisite  I  saw  enjoying  a  cigarette  in  the  hammock 
with  you  that  day  two  months  ago?  He  certainly 
wasn't  an  Oakdale  product." 

"  Oh,  that's  Arthur  Penrose  from  Barre  " —  in- 
differently — "  a  cousin  of  Molly  Bascom's.  I  met 
him  there  two  or  three  winters  ago,  I  think." 


296  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

"  And  visiting  her  again,  I  assume  ?  "  Stacy  in- 
quired, watching  Hazel's  face.  "  I  thought  I  saw 
them  both  here  last  evening?  " 

"  They  were  here,"  she  answered  with  cool  au- 
dacity, "  and  he  is  one  of  my  ardent  admirers,  quite 
devoted ;  in  fact,  here  almost  every  evening,  and  " 
• — smiling  saucily — "  I  wouldn't  be  surprised  if  he 
called  to-night." 

And  then  Stacy  realized  that  his  teasing  plan  had 
met  with  failure. 

"  I  hope  not,"  he  rejoined  bluntly ;  "  I  don't  want 
the  second  evening  I've  had  with  you  spoiled  that 
way,  for  I  should  imagine  he'd  want  to  murder  me 
if  he  so  admires  you." 

"  You  wouldn't  mind,  would  you  " —  with  a  light 
laugh  — "  you  are  used  to  meeting  bloodthirsty  men, 
aren't  you  ?  " 

And  as  if  to  pay  him  back  for  his  attempt  at  teas- 
ing, she  added,  "if  he  calls,  you  can  retreat  to  the 
bulwark  of  the  grindstone  again,  perhaps,  and  so 
feel  safe." 

"  Possibly,"  answered  Stacy,  also  laughing,  "  if  I 
am  struck  with  instant  idiocy  —  not  otherwise." 
Then  and  with  a  dare-all  impulse  he  continued,  "  No 
fellow  who  can't  win  a  girl  with  two  years  to  try  in, 
can  scare  me  away !  " 

And  then  this  one  recalled  her  father's  assertion 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  297 

that  Stacy  "  wa'n't  a  mite  skeered  o'  a  little  gal  like 
her,"  with  tingling  nerves  and  sense  of  admiration. 

And  it  must  be  asserted,  if  he  had  been  timid,  or 
shown  it  in  this  skirmish  of  words,  he  would  have 
lost  ground  with  her.  Like  all  petite  women  of 
keen  intellect,  the  one  man  most  likely  to  win  her 
was  a  big  one  of  dauntless  courage.  She  might 
tease  him,  exasperate  him,  defy  him,  doubtless 
would;  but  if  he  won  her  (as  Stacy  now  meant  to 
win  her)  he  must  now  and  then  (metaphorically 
speaking)  grasp  her  and  shake  her  as  a  big  terrier 
would  a  small  rodent. 

"  I  hope  you  don't  really  think  it  was  bash  fulness 
that  led  me  to  hide  behind  the  grindstone  last  night," 
Stacy  continued  after  a  pause,  "  for  I  assure  you  it 
was  not ;  only  a  fear  that  my  calling  might  seem  an 
intrusion  by  you,  especially  as  I  hadn't  been  in- 
vited." 

"  I  certainly  do,"  she  responded  in  the  same  ban- 
tering tone,  "  and  now  that  you  deny  it  so  vehe- 
mently I  am  positive  you  couldn't  have  been  forced 
to  come  in  at  the  point  of  a  pistol!  But  I  must  ex- 
cuse you.  Mr.  Penrose  is  a  dangerous  man." 

"  Very,"  ventured  Stacy  with  a  tinge  of  sarcasm, 
"  especially  if  he  stormed  a  powder  mill  with  his 
favorite  weapon,  a  lighted  cigarette.  Not  other- 
wise." 


298  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

"  You  don't  admire  cigarettes,  I  assume  " —  iron- 
ically — "  don't  you  smoke  them  ?  " 

Then  Stacy  smiled  at  this  cool,  audacious  maid  in 
calm  serenity,  quite  sure  he  read  her  aright.  Also 
her  indifference  to  Arthur  Penrose. 

"  Oh,  yes,  I  admire  them  if  on  the  windward  side,'? 
he  returned  suavely,  "  or  at  long  range.  I  can't  say 
that  I  do  if  they  happen  to  be  in  a  hammock  with  a 
certain  saucy  young  lady  I  have  the  honor  of  know- 
ing, however  —  in  the  vernacular,  that  is  different." 

And  just  then  as  if  fortunately  to  end  what  might 
have  become  a  personal  discussion,  Uncle  Asa  came 
in  with  a  basket  of  white  birch  wood  and  kindlings. 

"  I  think  I  best  start  a  leetle  fire,"  he  said,  going 
about  it.  "  It  sorter  takes  the  chill  off,  'n'  is  more 
cheerful. 

"  A  fire  is  a  sorter  inspirer  o'  pleasant  thoughts," 
he  continued,  addressing  no  one  in  particular  and 
lighting  a  scrap  of  birch  bark,  "  a  kind  o'  sociable 
friend  you  kin  talk  to  if  lonesum.  I  used  to  go 
campin'  down  on  the  shore,"  he  added,  now  seating 
himself  and  turning  to  Stacy,  "  jist  fer  the  comfort 
o'  watchin'  a  fire  o'  driftwood  'n'  hearin'  the  waves 
a-boomin'.  Somehow,  thar  'n'  then  a  fire  is  the 
most  consolin'  thing  on  arth,  'n'  more  so  than  in  the 
woods.  It's  pleasant  thar,  o'  course,  but  on  the 
shore  its  light  'n'  cracklin'  is  like  a  human  speerit 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  299 

tryin'  to  be  heard.  'N'  then  the  waves!  It's 
s'prisin'  jist  then,  'n'  dark  all  round,  only  the  fire 
goin',  how  many  kinds  o'  voices  you  kin  hear  in  the 
waves.  You  kin  hear  children  laughin'  'n'  cryin', 
wimmen,  too,  V  men  yellin'  'n'  howlin' !  You  kin 
hear  bulls  bellowin',  wild  cats  howlin',  pigs  squealin', 
hens  cacklin' ;  all  sorts  o'  voices,  'n'  sometimes  wim- 
men sobbin'  like  their  hearts  wuz  breakin'. 

"  I  know  a  nice  spot  to  camp  in,  Mr.  Whipple," 
he  suggested  after  a  pause,  "  a  sorter  pocket  to  the 
right  o'  whar  our  table  stands.  I've  got  two  tents,  'n' 
what  do  ye  say  while  yew're  here  to  us  takin'  Hazel 
'n'  Aunt  Sally  'long  'n'  campin'  jist  one  night  ez  a 
sorter  lark?  Hazel  kin  take  her  banjo  'long,  'n' 
the  moon's  jist  right?  What  do  ye  say,  Hazel? 
Will  ye  go?" 

"  Why,  yes,  of  course,"  she  smiled.  "  I'll  go 
anywhere  you  say,  father,  and  do  anything  you 
wish.  And  such  a  trip  would  be  very  jolly.  Only  " 
—  pausing — "maybe  we  had  better  take  Jennie 
Oaks  and  Molly  instead  of  Aunt  Sally.  I  think 
they'd  enjoy  it  better.  And  Bertha  Phinney,  too," 
she  added,  smiling  saucily  at  Stacy ;  "  she  took  quite 
a  liking  to  you,  Mr.  Whipple,  and  would  be  pleased 
to  meet  you  again." 

"  And  I  shall  feel  honored  by  any  lady  friend  of 
yours  wishing  to  meet  me,"  returned  Stacy  in  the 


300  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

same  bantering  tone,  "  and  I  shall  not  only  be  glad 
to  go  and  be  useful,  but  say  all  the  sweet  things  I 
can  think  of  to  Miss  Phinney." 

"  Wai,  yew  two  sartinly  don't  need  no  more 
coaxin',"  asserted  Uncle  Asa,  "  'n*  let's  say  we  go 
day  arter  to-morrer.  I  want  one  day  to  go  down 
'n'  set  up  the  tents." 

"  And  I'll  go  and  help  you,"  put  in  Stacy ;  then 
smiling  at  Hazel,  added,  "  all  the  music  I've  heard 
for  two  long  months,  Miss  Webster,  was  surrepti- 
tiously obtained  last  evening.  Now,  will  you  favor 
me  personally  ?  " 

And  favor  him  she  did  for  one  delightful  hour 
and  with  a  repertoire  of  songs  ranging  from  old- 
time  ballads  to  the  modern  classic  ones  that  aston- 
ished him !  He  had  sent  her  a  hit-or-miss  collection 
of  arrangements  for  both  banjo  and  auto-harp,  with 
a  few  popular  ballads;  only  one  of  which  she  now 
rendered,  and  it  is  needless  to  say  that  he  now  felt 
conscious  of  his  own  lack  of  musical  knowledge, 
thus  proved. 

But  he  was  wise  enough  to  make  no  mention 
thereof  or  ask  why  she  apparently  found  them  of  no 
value. 

But  Hazel  made  amends,  as  was  her  nature,  and 
soon  after  she  ended  her  charming  concert. 

"  You  mustn't  think  I  do  not  appreciate  your 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  301 

lavish  gift  of  so  much  music,  Mr.  Whipple,"  she 
then  explained,  "  for  I  do,  and  it  was  very  kind  and 
thoughtful  of  you  to  send  it.  Only  I  have  had 
scarcely  time  since  it  came  to  more  than  look  it  over 
.and  select  one  gem." 

And  Stacy,  knowing  what  had  happened  to  this 
household,  felt  relieved. 

"  I'll  be  on  hand  any  time  you  say  to-morrow, 
Uncle  Asa,"  Stacy  declared  when  rising  to  depart, 
"  and  as  the  evenings  are  just  right  for  a  campfire 
and  moon  also,  we  must  have  a  jolly  time." 

"  I  think  so,  too,"  added  Hazel,  with  cordial 
smile,  "  and  to-morrow  Aunt  Sally  and  I  will  cook 
all  sorts  of  good  things  to  take  with  us." 

And  when  Stacy  walked  down  the  lane  after  pro- 
fuse thanks  for  the  evening  he  had  so  enjoyed, 
Uncle  Asa  seemed  to  him  what  he  was,  one  of 
Nature's  noblemen,  brimming  with  love  for  all  that 
was  good  and  true  in  humanity,  and  Hazel  the 
rarest,  most  tactful,  charming,  piquant  and  sweet 
girl  ever  created  for  man's  care  and  protection. 

And  the  one  instant's  tingle  of  her  little  hand  in 
his  proffered  one  at  departure,  lasted  him  all  the 
way  back  to  the  hotel. 

"  In  love  ? "  you  ask  again.  That  needs  no  as- 
sertion. 


A  LETTER  from  Colby  awaiting  Stacy  at 
the  hotel  that  night  on  his  return  from 
Uncle  Asa's  quite  put  the  charming  Hazel 
out  of  his  mind,  however,  for  the  time  being,  and 
set  him  to  thinking. 

Briefly  stated,  it  was  to  the  effect  that  he  had 
better  make  haste  to  decide  upon  the  site  most  de- 
sirable for  their  dam,  and  to  wire  for  the  two  engi- 
neers to  come  on  and  survey  it.  Another  letter 
enclosed  with  this  from  Davis,  chairman  of  the 
Barre  Committee,  also  informed  him  of  what  he 
already  knew,  namely,  that  a  party  named  Otero 
had  bought  what  he  (Davis)  supposed  was  the  best 
location  for  a  darn,  etc.,  etc. 

"  It  might  be  advisable  for  you  to  visit  Barre  be- 
fore returning,"  Colby  had  added,  "  and  pacify  this 
Committee.  While  we  have  now  twenty-two 
months  in  which  to  complete  contract,  we  shall  need 
to  get  busy." 

And  Curtis  North,  alias  P.  Curtis,  was  yet  to  be 
reckoned  with! 

302 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  303 

For  an  hour  now  after  reading  these  urgent  let- 
ters, Stacy  sat  in  his  room  smoking  fiercely,  while 
planning  how  best  and  how  soon  he  could  solve  this 
problem,  obtain  possession  of  Bear  Hole  Swamp, 
start  Curtis  North  and  pal  towards  Rawhide  and 
well-merited  punishment,  begin  the  building  of  the 
dam,  and  take  the  first  steps  towards  his  intended 
city. 

"  I  am  almost  sorry  I  promised  to  join  Uncle 
Asa's  camping-out  plan,"  he  said  to  himself  now, 
"  but  can't  back  out  and  don't  want  to  either. 
What  an  idyllic  and  romantic  old  fellow  he  is, 
after  all,  to  go  camping  on  the  beach  just  to  watch 
a  fire  and  hear  wave  voices.  If  Hazel  has  in- 
herited it,  she  will  be  doubly  charming." 

When  breakfast  was  over,  Stacy  presented  him- 
self to  Squire  Phinney  to  make  the  first  move  in 
this  complex  plan. 

"  I  am,"  he  then  said  to  that  worthy  after  in- 
troducing himself,  "  planning  to  buy  back  the  Bear 
Hole  Swamp  property  recently  sold  by  Uncle  Asa 
Webster  to  one  Leon  Otero,  and  in  the  name  of  his 
daughter  Hazel.  I  want  you  to  fill  out  a  warranty 
deed  of  it  in  Otero's  name  to  her  by  to-night,  for 
which  I  will  pay  you.  In  return,  also,  and  if  you 
will  promise  me  absolute  secrecy  in  the  matter,  I 
will,  later  on,  give  you  information  that  will  enable 


304  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

you  to  buy  some  land  and  double  your  money  on  it 
in  the  near  future." 

And  then  Squire  Phinney,  keen  to  Oakdale's  af- 
fairs, a  shrewd  Yankee  ever  on  watch  to  make  a 
dollar  and  keeping  most  of  all  he  got,  took  off  his 
spectacles,  wiped  them,  put  them  on  again,  and 
stared  at  Stacy  while  his  eyes  twinkled. 

"  We  heered  'bout  ye,  Mr.  Whipple,  heered  a 
hull  lot,  'n'  I'm  glad  to  see  ye,"  he  said.  "  'N' 
I'm  glad  ye'er  going  to  git  Uncle  Asa's  land  back, 
too.  He  got  'n'  ungodly  price  fer't,  though,  ez  I 
s'pose  ye  know,  but  I  didn't  like  the  little  weasel  he 
sold  it  to.  I'll  fill  ye  out  the  deed  to-day,  'n'  keep 
mum  ez  ye  wish,  'n'  twon't  cost  ye  but  fifty  cents  fer 
it."  Then  he  adjusted  his  spectacles  again,  leaned 
back  in  his  chair,  and  surveyed  Stacy  once  more 
with  smiling  admiration. 

"  Be  you,"  he  queried  the  next  moment,  while 
his  mouth  twitched,  "  be  you  goin'  tew  —  tew  give 
Hazel  this  land,  Mr.  Whipple?  'Scuse  me  fer 
askin',  but  o'  course  if  it's  deeded  to  her,  it's  hern. 
Mebbe  you're  cal'latin'  to  marry  her,  though!  " 

And  then  Stacy  exploded  in  a  burst  of  laughter 
at  this  Yankeeism. 

"  If  I  ever  ask  and  obtain  her  consent  to  that  im- 
portant step  I'll  tell  you  right  away,  Squire,"  he 


"MEBBE  YOU'RE  CAL'J.ATIN'  TO  MARRY  HER,  THOUGH!" 

Page  304. 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  305 

said,  and  laughing  again  he  bade  this  Yankee  good 
morning  and  left  his  office. 

"  I'll  bet  two  to  one  you  don't  keep  your  promise 
about  the  deed,"  he  asserted  to  himself  after  leav- 
ing the  Squire's  office,  "yes,  ten  to  one,  for  a 
Yankee  with  such  curiosity  positively  couldn't  do 
so !  '  Cal'latin'  to  marry  Hazel,  mebbe ! '  Well,  I 
am  if  I  can,"  and  then,  as  the  humor  of  it  returned, 
Stacy  laughed  again. 

And  he  was  right  in  his  surmises,  for  not  an  hour 
had  elapsed  after  Stacy  had  bade  the  Squire  good 
morning  ere  that  inquisitive  Yankee,  first  exacting 
a  solemn  promise  from  his  wife  not  to  tell,  told  her, 
she  in  turn  did  the  same  by  their  only  daughter, 
Bertha,  and  later  that  day  when  Hazel  came  to  in- 
vite her  to  the  camping-out  party,  she  also  was  in- 
formed in  an  awed  whisper  that  a  deed  of  Bear 
Hole  Swamp  would  be  presented  her  in  the  near 
future. 

"  Maybe  he  intends  it  for  a  wedding  present," 
added  Bertha,  smiling  with  admiration,  "  for  his 
sending  you  the  two  presents  he  has  must  mean 
something,"  whereupon  the  aforesaid  Hazel  blushed 
crimson,  for  she  had  never  admitted  receiving  these 
gifts  to  anyone  —  not  even  to  her  father. 

How  the  arrival  of  them  was  known  by  Bertha 


306  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

can  easily  be  guessed  from  the  fact  that  her  intimate 
friend,  Molly  Bascom,  sorted  all  arriving  mail  in 
Bascom's  store  and  post  office  combined,  and  Uncle 
Levi,  who  brought  the  express  package  of  books 
and  music,  was  never  known  to  keep  a  secret  longer 
than  was  required  to  find  someone  to  tell  it  to, 
hurrying  at  that! 

But  forewarned  was  forearmed  with  Hazel !  She 
now  knew  (as  every  daughter  of  Mother  Eve  does 
know  long  beforehand)  that  this  bold  fellow  was 
fast  falling  in  love  with  her ;  and  that,  in  due  time,  he 
would  propose  marriage. 

"  It  will  be  '  no  *  '  she  said  to  herself  very  de- 
cidedly on  her  way  home  from  Bertha's.  "  No, 
positively  no!  I  will  not  leave  poor  dear  old  dad 
with  only  Aunt  Sally  to  care  for  him,  never! 
never !  But  what  does  he  mean  by  this  deed  ?  To 
buy  me,  is  it  ?  "  And  then  the  high-spirited  Hazel 
tossed  her  head  in  a  way  that  boded  ill  for  Stacy. 

And  at  that  very  moment  the  said  arch-plotter 
(according  to  Hazel)  was  steering  Uncle  Asa's  big 
dory  down  the  creek,  with  him  at  the  oars,  and  in 
it  were  two  tents  and  poles,  two  filled  bed-ticks, 
and  one  empty  one,  and  blankets,  sheets,  and  pillows 
—  all  taken  from  his  home.  Also  minor  needs  for 
camping,  enough  to  fill  the  boat. 

"  We've  got  a  lot  to  do,  my  boy,"  asserted  Uncle 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  307 

Asa,  thus  addressing  Stacy  for  the  first  time,  as  he 
pulled  up  to  the  little  old  wharf,  "  'n'  none  too  much 
time,"  then  leaped  out,  as  nimble  as  a  boy,  made  the 
boat  fast,  and  began  unloading.  Stacy,  of  course, 
assisted  with  eagerness,  and  in  less  than  an  hour 
the  tents  were  set  up  within  a  sheltering  sedge- 
topped  nook  between  the  sand  dunes,  sea  grass  cut 
and  spread  for  carpet  in  them,  old  sails  laid  over 
that,  beds  and  blankets  put  inside,  and  then  Uncle 
Asa  began  to  shovel  sand  over  the  base  edge  of 
the  tents. 

"  We've  got  to  make  them  gals  comf'table,  you 
know,"  he  said,  pausing  to  pat  the  sand  down  with 
his  shovel  and  smiling  at  Stacy,  "  'speshly  Hazel. 
Yew  think  I'm  boyish,  mebbe,  'n'  I  s'pose  I  am," 
he  added  in  half  apology,  "  but  I  thought  a  heap 
o'  that  gal's  mother;  she's  grown  up  to  look  'n'  be 
'zactly  like  her,  perfect  picter,  in  fact,  every  time 
I  look  at  her,  'n'  " —  sighing  — "  takin'  her  'round 
'n'  doin'  fer  her  sorter  makes  me  feel  like  I  was 
courtin'  agin.  She  begun  taggin'  me  soon  ez  she 
could  toddle,  I've  carried  her  pig-a-back  more 
miles'n  she's  weeks  old,  'n'  we've  kept  taggin'  each 
other  ever  sence,  'n'  now  ye  kin  see  why  I  felt  the 
way  I  did  'bout  that  money.  I  jist  hain't  got 
nothin'  nor  nobody  to  live  fer  'cept  Hazel." 

"  So  I  have  observed,"  returned  Stacy,  touched 


3o8  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

by  the  curious  pathos  of  this  admission,  "  and  your 
daughter  is  well  worth  all  the  love  you  lavish  on 
her.  I  don't  think  you  boyish,  only  an  unusually 
affectionate  father." 

"  It's  curis  'bout  our  f  eelin's,  ain't  it  ?  "  Uncle  Asa 
continued  without  response  to  Stacy's  assertion,  "  'n' 
how  they're  the  injine  that  keeps  us  goin'  'n'  doin'. 
I  worked  'n'  scrimped,  perfectly  willin',  to  save  that 
money  fer  Hazel,  'n'  enjoyed  doin'  it.  I  keep 
plottin'  'n'  plannin'  some  fun  fer  her,  this  camp- 
out  trip  was  jist  fer  that,  'n'  thar  ye  be. 

"  I've  biled  life  down,"  he  added  after  another 
pause,  "  into  'bout  this :  in  order  to  be  happy,  you've 
got  to  hev  three  things :  suthin  to  do,  suthin  to  love, 
'n'  suthin  to  hope  fer.  I've  got  a  good  deal  o' 
the  fust  two,  but  the  last  —  wal,  it's  gittin'  thinner 
day  arter  day."  Then,  and  as  if  this  were  enough 
of  moralizing,  he  began  shoveling  and  patting  the 
sand  again. 

When  the  tents  were  all  snug  and  secure  he  be- 
gan the  building  of  an  open  fireplace  in  front,  next, 
he  made  an  improvised  table  from  the  unhinged 
door  of  his  fish  house,  then  gathered  and  piled 
handily  an  ample  supply  of  driftwood. 

"  We  got  to  dig  some  clams  'n'  bile  some  lobsters 
ready  to  fry,"  he  next  proclaimed,  glancing  at  the 
now  bare  flats.  "  Likewise  steam  a  mess  o'  clams 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  309 

fer  dinner,"  and  again  he  led  the  way  to  accomplish 
these  needs. 

It  was  ten-thirty  when  they  arrived  at  this 
seldom-visited  beach,  and  two  o'clock  before  the 
camp  was  made  ready,  and  frugal  dinner  of 
steamed  clams,  coffee,  and  bread  and  butter  also 
ready.  And  then  these  two  men,  boys  in  spirit,  now 
sat  down  to  enjoy  their  meal  and  a  needed  rest. 
After  this  was  disposed  of,  Uncle  Asa  lit  his  pipe, 
Stacy  a  cigar,  and  the  former,  as  was  characteristic 
of  him,  began  a  philosophic  disquisition  on  human 
impulses  and  conclusions  that  may  well  be  quoted. 

"  I  hev  notions  'n'  idees  'bout  people,  Stacy  —  I 
s'pose  I  might  ez  well  call  ye  so,"  he  began  with, 
"  that  I  like  to  talk  'bout  'n'  see  ef  we  agree.  Now, 
fer  instance,  we  folks  here  hev  ploughed  'n'  planted 
all  our  lives  'n'  never  thought  beyond  that,  'n'  long 
yew  come,  look  'round  a  little,  'n'  discover  what  not 
one  o'  us  ever  s'posed  possible.  I  cal'late,  too,  yewr 
city  will  be  here  —  in  time  —  fer  I  kin  see  what  a 
no-cost  power  is  runnin'  to  waste  in  them  two 
streams.  Only  we  folks  didn't  see  it  ez  we  might 
if  our  foresight  had  been  ekal  to  our  hindsight. 
We're  livin'  way  long  fifty  years  back,  I  cal'late, 
too,"  he  added  after  a  pause,  "  'n'  some  on  us  is 
still  votin'  fer  Andrew  Jackson.  But  yew've  woke 
us  up,  or  will,  I  guess." 


3io  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

"  Perhaps  that's  true,"  smiled  Stacy,  "  and  the 
wonder  to  me  is  that  this  possibility  hadn't  been  dis- 
covered by  someone  else  long  ago;  it  was  so  self- 
evident!  I  probably  shouldn't  have  done  so,  how- 
ever, if  it  hadn't  been  for  the  needs  of  Barre  and 
call  from  them  to  furnish  power." 

"  Wai,  ye  ain't  inclined  to  brag  much,"  asserted 
Uncle  Asa,  "  'n'  I  like  ye  all  the  better  fer't. 
Braggin'  makes  a  man  'pear  more  like  a  fool  than 
tryin'  to  lift  himself  by  his  boot  straps,  'n'  counts 
'bout  ez  much.  Then  agin,  most  men  swar  they're 
wuth  'bout  ten  times  what  they  be,  'n'  I  allus  think 
if  I  could  buy  'em  fer  what  they're  wuth  'n'  sell 
'em  fer  what  they  say,  I'd  make  a  stiddy  business 
on't.  I  s'pose  it's  all  right,  though,  'n'  a  man  kin 
crow  himself  into  notice  ef  he's  willin'  to  wear  a 
fool's  cap  ever  arter. 

"  Then  agin,  thar's  goin'  to  meetin',"  he  con- 
tinued after  a  pause  to  relight  his  pipe.  "  It's  all 
right,  'n'  I  go  'bout  once  a  month,  but  it's  mostly 
to  hear  Hazel  singin',  howsomever.  'N'  when  she 
does  I  shut  my  eyes  V  I'm  sartin  it's  her  mother 
up  thar  in  the  choir.  Ez  fer  the  preachin' —  wal, 
if  'twan't  fer  the  hope  o'  heaven  'n'  fear  o'  hell  in 
us  all,  our  parson'ud  be  out  o'  a  job  middlin'  soon. 
We  need  preachin',  though,  only  I  think  it  orter  be 
on  how  to  live  to-day  'n'  help  others  do  right,  'stead 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  311 

o'  makin'  us  oneasy  'bout  the  futer.  I  think  if  we 
do  'bout  ez  we'd  done  by  'n'  make  folks  more 
cheerful,  our  souls'll  take  keer  o'  themselves-,  I  do! 
Ez  fer  prayin',  wal,  it's  healthy,  moral  exercise  for 
those  who  b'lieve  so,  but  the  meanest  man  I  ever 
knew  said  grace  over  the  swill  'fore  he  fed  his  pigs, 
folks  said,  so  since  then  I  hain't  taken  much  stock 
in't.  We  need  to  b'lieve  in  God,  though,  with  so 
much  cussedness  goin'  on  all  'round,  fer  if  we  wa'n't 
sartin  He  ruled  the  world,  we'd  be  more  sartin  the 
devil  did. 

"  Keerin*  for  wimmen  ez  they'd  orter  be,"  he 
added,  "  has  a  good  deal  to  do  towards  makin'  us 
men  folks  better,  I  often  think,  'n'  we  kin  brag  all 
we  please  'bout  bein'  in  the  image  o'  God  'n'  all 
that  sort,  but  it's  my  notion  'twas  woman's  hand 
that  pulled  man  up  out  o'  his  original  cave  'n'  made 
him  a  gentleman.  Ez  fer  gittin'  a  harp,  'n'  playin' 
that,  'n'  smilin'  fer  all  etarnity — wal,  I'd  rather  hev  a 
fight,  'n'  a  chance  to  make  up  with  the  woman  I  keer 
fer,  than  do  that !  Then,  too,  I'd  choose  Brimstun 
"  Corner  with  her  ruther'n  Harpland  without  her,  I 
would,  yew  bet!  My  idee  is,  it's  best  to 

"Live,  love,  laugh,  be  happy,  'n'  pass  it  along, 
There'll  come  a  day  when  you'll  drap  out  o'  the  game." 

"  I  agree  with  you  most  emphatically,"  responded 
Stacy,  thinking  of  Hazel,  "  and  the  love  of  and  care 


3i2  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

for  a  good,  affectionate  wife  is  the  most  uplift- 
ing and  purifying  impulse  that  comes  to  us  men.  I 
used  to  be  a  scoffer  on  that  point  and  think  other- 
wise, but  I  am  fast  changing." 

Who  and  what  had  brought  this  about  may  easily 
be  inferred. 

"  I'm  sartin  ye  be,"  declared  Uncle  Asa,  smiling 
his  satisfaction,  "  fer  I've  ben  watchin'  ye  'n' 
studyin'  ye  out,  I'll  'low  now.  I  took  to  ye  at  fust, 
but  trustin'  ye  —  wal,  that  has  to  come  later,  any- 
how, ez  mine  has.  Thar's  only  one  thing  more  I'd 
like  to  see  come,"  he  added  after  a  long  pause  and 
keen  glance  at  Stacy,  "  'n'  that  is  yew'd  somehow 
—  ef  yewr  city  is  built  ez  ye  cal'late  —  yew'd  make 
it  yer  home.  I  said  that  to  ye  yisterday,  'n'  I  say 
it  agin,  more  meanin'ly.  Then  ye  want  to  rec'lect 
this:  ye'd  be  more  to  hum  'n'  a  bigger  toad  in  a 
puddle  ye  dug  yerself  than  in  one  somebody  else 
dug,  'n'  don't  fergit  that !  " 

"  I  won't,"  responded  Stacy,  smiling  at  his  homely 
aphorism,  "  and  as  I  admitted  to  you  here  two 
months  ago,  my  future  plans  will  probably  be 
shaped  by  those  of  someone  else  —  who,  I'll  leave 
you  to  guess." 

And  so  ended  this  heart-to-heart  exchange. 

A  few  more  steps  towards  the  perfecting  of  his 
camping-out  plan  were  next  attended  to  by  Uncle 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  313 

Asa.  The  lobsters  he  had  boiled  were  packed  in 
a  box  of  ice  and  placed  in  the  fish  house  with  a 
basket  of  clams,  an  opening  between  the  sand  dunes 
back  of  the  tents  filled  with  scrub  pines  to  protect 
them  from  wind,  and  a  carpet  of  sedge  grass 
spread  in  front.  Then,  as  the  sun  was  now  well 
down,  they  started  homeward  on  the  inflowing  tide. 

"  I'll  go  up  to  the  house  to  say  '  How  do  you  do  * 
to  Miss  Hazel,"  Stacy  admitted  when  the  foot  of  the 
lane  was  reached.  "  Also,  I  want  you  to  let  me 
have  that  mine  certificate  of  yours  to  photograph 
the  signature  of  Curtis  North  from.  I  must  go  to 
Barre  after  our  camping-out  frolic,  then  on  to  New 
York  to  load  my  gun  for  this  swindler;  and  when 
everything  is  ready  I  shall  want  you  to  come  to 
Albion  and  go  back  there  with  me  to  see  the  fun." 

"  'N'  I  want  to,  'n'  to  see  a  lot  o'  squirmin'  on 
the  part  o'  that  villain  to  even  up  the  worryin'  I've 
had,"  rejoined  Uncle  Asa,  quick  to  grasp  Stacy's 
plans.  "  'N'  I'd  like  to  rub  it  into  that  little  runt 
some  more  'bout  B'ar  Hole  Swamp  'n'  the  snakes," 
he  added  chuckling.  "  I  kin  'most  see  a  hull  circus 
jist  ahead  fer  me." 

1  Ye  must  stay  to  supper,"  he  declared  when  the 
house  was  reached,  "  'n'  spend  the  evenin',  too.  I 
told  Hazel  we'd  be  back  in  time." 

"  No,  thank  you,  I'd  better  not,"  asserted  Stacy  in 


3 14  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

positive  tone.  "  I  expect  important  letters  at  the 
hotel,  and  will  wait  outside  till  you  bring  me  the 
certificate." 

But  Hazel,  probably  on  the  watch,  soon  appeared, 
and  a  "  Why,  Mr.  Whipple,  you  must  come  in  and 
have  supper !  "  from  her  came  near  changing  Stacy's 
sensible  intention  not  to  overdo  his  welcome.  To 
his  credit,  however,  he  declined  even  her  cordial 
invitation  with  profuse  thanks  (and  lost  nothing 
by  it),  and  when  departing,  carried  away  a  hastily 
gathered  bouquet  of  flowers  presented  by  her. 

To  him,  just  now  they  seemed  suggestive  of  his 
easy  and  enjoyable  pathway  to  her  heart.  He  had 
forgotten  his  suspicion  that  Squire  Phinney  would 
betray  him,  however,  and  did  not  realize  that  that 
fatal  deed  of  Bear  Hole  Swamp  would  in  due  tima 
torture  him  even  more  than  its  original  had  done. 


CHAPTER  XXVI 

WTH  a  warm,  bright  September  day,  the 
sun  softened  by  an  ambient  haze,  the 
wind  a  mild  zephyr,  the  sea  blue,  spark- 
ling and  fringed  with  prattling  wave-wash;  also 
four  bright,  vivacious,  and  pretty  girls,  not  to  men- 
tion Uncle  Asa  with  his  droll  optimism,  and  Stacy 
the  sole  gallant  upon  that  day's  outing  —  well,  if 
he  failed  to  appreciate  his  good  fortune  and  enjoy 
it  all,  it  was  his  own  fault. 

He  did  not  enjoy  it,  though,  as  the  sequel  proved, 
or  rather  it  ended  in  a  fit  of  sulks  for  him. 

Miss  Jennie  Oaks,  almost  as  keen  at  repartee  as 
Hazel,  together  with  the  latter,  kept  his  wits  work- 
ing overtime,  however,  as  the  saying  goes;  Mollie 
Bascom,  plump  and  jolly,  with  Bertha  Phinney,  also 
rotund  and  amiable,  were  one  and  all  conspiring 
factors  to  a  rare  day  of  simple  country  seashore 
enjoyment. 

They  romped  on  the  beach,  the  girls,  having  suits, 

went  in  bathing — Stacy,  having  none,  got  left  in 

this ;  they  dug  clams  later  when  the  tide  served ;  the 

dinner  was  a  feast  of  sea  food  cooked  by  Uncle 

315 


316  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

Asa,  with  many  delicacies  added  from  their  home 
by  Hazel;  seashells  were  gathered  and  wild  flowers 
to  deck  tents  and  table,  and  when  the  sun,  red 
as  a  ball  of  fire,  was  sinking  behind  the  hill  tops, 
and  the  evening  meal  of  fried  lobster  and  salad 
of  the  same  prepared  by  Hazel  all  ready,  the  girls, 
at  least,  voted  the  day  so  far  a  great  and  glorious 
success. 

Uncle  Asa's  fire  of  driftwood,  started  with  the 
twilight,  came  next,  the  moon  rose  in  red  splendor 
out  of  the  now  motionless  ocean,  and  when  blankets 
were  spread  between  tents  and  fire,  the  party 
seated  upon  them,  and  Hazel  began  to  tune  her 
banjo  —  the  only  other  sounds,  except  modulated 
voices  were  the  crackle  of  the  burning  fire  and 
the  low  murmur  of  the  near-by  ocean. 

"  This  is  soothin',  comfortin',  'n'  consolin'  all  in 
one,"  ejaculated  Uncle  Asa,  now  seated  beside  and 
leaning  against  a  tent  while  he  smoked  and  glanced 
at  the  group  of  smiling  faces.  "  Likewise,  ez  I 
cal'late,  'bout  ez  near  to  heaven  ez  we'll  git  on 
arth,"  whereupon  Hazel  gave  him  a  tender  glance 
that  spoke  volumes. 

"  Its  romance  and  happy  escape  from  conven- 
tionalities is  its  best  charm  to  me,"  responded  Stacy, 
"  or  rather  its  semblance  of  return  to  primitive  con- 
ditions of  life." 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  317 

"  You  mean  '  the  world  forgotten  and  by  the 
world  forgot,'  "  queried  Hazel  smilingly,  "  or  is  it 
the  joy  of  utter  isolation  that  adds  that  charm?  " 

"  I  wouldn't  care  to  be  here  alone,"  added  the 
more  matter-of-fact  Molly. 

"  Nor  I,"  chimed  in  Bertha.  "  No  all-alones  for 
me  or  Robinson  Crusoe  meditations.  I  want  com- 
pany, fun,  laughter,  and  companions." 

But  conversation  among  six  is  usually  a  dismal 
failure,  and  Hazel,  quite  conscious  of  this,  soon 
picked  up  her  banjo  and  within  five  minutes  all 
the  girls  were  joining  in  her  long  list  of  plantation 
ballads,  and  so  the  evening  passed. 

To  Stacy,  however,  the  day  with  its  need  of  ac- 
tion, of  doing  something,  was  the  most  enjoyable; 
and  then,  somehow,  he,  quick  to  catch  others'  moods 
and  emotions,  imagined  that  Hazel's  was  not  in 
harmony  with  his  or  him.  She  was  charmingly  po- 
lite and  interested  in  all  he  said,  gave  him  now  and 
then  the  consolation  of  inferred  praise  or  commen- 
dation, played  the  hostess  with  her  invariable 
thought  fulness,  but  beneath  all  this  he  suspected 
that  she  still  distrusted  him,  or  was  chilled  from 
some  unknown  source. 

This  intuition  had  also  kept  him  from  joining  in 
or  attempting  to  inspire  general  conversation  after 
they  gathered  about  the  fire,  and  keenly  critical  of 


318  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

the  art  of  polite  small  talk  in  others,  he  saw  that  it 
was  all  forced  and  stilted.  He  was  not  disposed  to 
sulk,  only  sure  that  no  one  was  seriously  anxious 
to  talk,  and  very  glad  when  Hazel  put  an  end  to 
it  with  her  banjo  and  songs.  To  watch  her  supple 
fingers  skip  up  and  down  the  strings,  or  sweep 
across  them,  and  her  exquisite  face  and  expressive 
eyes  reflecting  the  firelight,  was  of  far  more  in- 
terest than  exchanging  polite  phrases  with  the  other 
girls,  with  whom  he  as  yet  was  scarcely  acquainted. 

And  then  he  smoked  fiercely,  steadily,  and  per- 
sistently, cigar  after  cigar,  as  was  his  way  when 
worried,  or  thinking  out  some  problem. 

By  and  by,  when  the  evening  had  grown  more 
chill,  the  fire  less  bright,  and  Hazel  having  con- 
cluded her  songs  with  "  Suwanee  River,"  and  then 
fallen  to  picking  the  chords  of  "  Mamma's  Little 
Alabama  Coon,"  he  arose,  piled  more  fuel  on  the 
glowing  embers,  then  lay  down  beside  them,  intently 
watching  the  uprising  flames. 

And  just  then,  as  Hazel  laid  her  banjo  aside,  there 
came  from  Uncle  Asa's  bowed  head  a  faint  snore! 

It  served  as  a  signal,  also,  for  on  the  instant 
Hazel  arose  with  a  smiling  glance  at  her  father, 
up  came  the  other  girls  in  one-two-three  order, 
nodded  and  whispered  good-nights  to  Stacy,  and 
vanished  into  their  tent. 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  319 

For  another  long  five  minutes  Stacy  lay  where 
he  was,  then  out  from  her  tent  came  Hazel,  stepped 
to  where  her  father  sat  dozing,  stooped  and  patted 
his  face.  "  You  must  wake  up,  father,"  she  said, 
"  and  go  to  bed;  you  will  catch  cold."  Then,  half 
lifting  him,  she  led  him  into  his  tent. 

In  a  moment  she  emerged  and  glanced  at  Stacy, 
still  recumbent.  "  You  have  not  enjoyed  this  even- 
ing overmuch,  have  you?  "  she  half  whispered  with 
faint  smile. 

"  Oh,  yes,  fairly  well/*  he  returned ;  "  your  sing- 
ing especially,  and  the  romance  of  this  spot.  About 
all  I  expected.  I  am  like  the  tramp,"  he  added,  after 
a  pause,  "  who  asserted  that  a  long  career  of  ad- 
versity had  taught  him  to  hope  for  everything  and 
expect  nothing." 

"  An  excellent  conclusion,"  she  responded,  quickly 
taking  two  steps  towards  her  own  tent,  then  halt- 
ing, "  but  —  but  hadn't  you  better  turn  in,  too  ?  I 
—  I  am  afraid  it's  lonesome  out  here." 

For  a  long  moment  she  gazed  at  him  sidewise, 
half  curiously,  half  pleadingly,  while  he,  after  one 
flash  of  his  imperious  eyes  at  her,  turned  to  the 
fire  again. 

"  I  wish  you  would,"  she  added  more  pleadingly. 
"I  —  I  don't  feel  right  to  desert  you  in  this  way." 

Only   for  another  moment   did  this  proud   girl 


320  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

thus  proffer  the  olive  branch  and  await  response 
in  vain,  then  came  a  second  "  good  night,"  and  she 
vanished  into  her  tent. 

"Father  was  right,"  she  said  to  herself;  "he  is 
sulky." 

And  so  he  was,  not  intentionally  perhaps,  yet  hurt 
by  the  continued  cool  indifference  of  this  girl  he 
had  planned  and  plotted  so  much  for.  He  knew 
that  she  now  realized  that  the  rescue  of  her  heritage 
from  the  swindler  was  entirely  from  his  personal 
thought  and  effort.  He  had  not  expected  thanks  — 
as  yet.  Had  not  even  wished  for  them,  or  any  men- 
tion of  what  he  had  done.  Only  he  had  expected 
that  sometime  during  the  day  —  a  day  he  had  prac- 
tically stolen  from  pressing  business  needs  —  she 
would  have  shown  him  a  trifle  of  gratitude,  or  wish 
for  his  happiness  beyond  ordinary,  conventional  po- 
liteness—  just  once! 

She  had  been  gay,  jolly,  full  of  good  spirits  and 
humor;  played  hostess  at  both  meals  in  gracious 
manner,  sang  a  long  list  of  plantation  songs  and 
ballads  without  urging,  shown  the  tenderest  filial  de- 
votion to  her  father,  and  —  polite  coolness  to  him ! 

And  just  now  with  the  moon  sailing  high  over- 
head, the  low  monotone  of  the  ocean  not  five  rods 
away,  the  fire  a  mere  glow  of  dying  embers,  and 
the  only  other  sound,  except  the  persistent  wave- 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  321 

wash,  an  occasional  call  from  some  marsh  bird, 
Stacy  felt  akin  to  the  solitude  and  loneliness  of  his 
surroundings. 

"  It  can't  be  helped,"  he  said  to  himself  philosoph- 
ically, after  a  long  resume  of  the  day's  disappoint- 
ments. "  If  a  woman  will,  she  will,  and  if  she 
won't,  she  won't,  and  that's  the  end  on't,  as  the 
old  rhyme  says.  It  may  be,  too,  that  this  feeling 
of  obligation  begins  to  gall  her.  It  works  that  way 
sometimes.  Or  perhaps  she  imagines  that  I  prac- 
tically expect  her  to  offer  herself  as  payment  for 
what  I've  done!  There  is  no  telling  how  a  girl 
of  her  spirit  will  interpret  any  man's  actions.  I 
guess  I  had  better  keep  away  from  Oakdale  another 
month,  Miss  Hazel  Iceberg,  and  let  you  see  I  am 
not  expecting  anything  —  not  even  friendship !  " 

All  of  which  must  be  accepted  as  proof  conclusive 
that  Stacy  was  what  Hazel  had  thought  him  — 
sulky.  Also  blessed  with  a  correct  conception  of 
how  she  felt  towards  him. 

And  that  fit  of  pique,  that  hour  of  lonely  night 
meditation  with  only  the  ocean's  voice,  and  a  dying 
fire  for  consolation,  so  impressed  him,  so  convinced 
him  of  the  wisdom  of  keeping  away  from  the  cool, 
piquant  Hazel  for  a  time  at  least,  that  he  now 
determined  to  do  so  —  and  did  until  circumstances 
forced  another  meeting. 


322  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

And  just  now,  so  sore  at  heart  was  he  and  so 
little  in  the  mood  for  sleep,  that  he  heaped  more 
fuel  on  the  fire,  pulled  a  blanket  out  from  the  tent 
where  Uncle  Asa  was  contentedly  snoring,  wrapped 
himself  in  it,  lit  another  cigar  and  hugged  his  fit  of 
sulks  until  midnight,  then  turned  in. 

He  didn't  know,  fortunately,  that  Hazel  remained 
wide  awake  during  that  almost  two-hour  vigil,  that 
she  twice  peeped  out  to  see  him  prone  Reside  the 
fire,  and  that  not  until  she  heard  him  enter  his  tent 
did  sleep  come  to  her;  also  was  perfectly  conscious 
how  he  felt,  and  the  reason  for  it. 

Uncle  Asa  was  up  and  out  with  the  coming  of 
dawn,  and  had  a  cheerily  blazing  fire  going  when  the 
four  rather  dishevelled  girls  emerged  from  their 
tent. 

"  Thar's  a  pail  o'  fresh  water  I  brought  from 
the  spring  up  back  'n'  left  in  the  fish  house,  gals," 
he  said,  after  greeting  them,  "  'n'  some  soap  'n' 
towels,"  and  Hazel,  who  had  wisely  brought  comb 
and  brush,  led  the  way  to  it.  Stacy  appeared  soon 
after,  and  with  his  own  toilet  accessories  betook 
himself  to  the  wharf  for  ablutions.  Breakfast  was 
not  as  interesting  a  meal  as  the  others  had  been; 
conversation  was  as  limp,  damp,  and  sticky  as  the 
table-spread  and  dishes,  and  not  until  the  rising  sun 
had  cheered  and  warmed  everybody  was  there  any 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  323 

exhibition  of  good  spirits.  When  the  inflowing  tide 
made  returning  possible,  Uncle  Asa  stowed  the 
rolled-up  bed  clothes  and  dishes  in  the  two  boats,  to- 
gether with  most  of  their  lighter  camp  outfit,  then 
called  out  that  they  were  ready. 

"  One  o'  you  gals  kin  go  in  the  small  boat  with 
Mr.  Whipple,"  he  said,  as  they  all  gathered  on  the 
wharf,  "  'n'  t'other  three  with  me  in  the  big  un. 
That'll  balance  up." 

And  then  came  the  question  of  who  should  be  the 
one  for  Stacy  to  take. 

Hazel,  who  had  covertly  watched  him  all  the 
morning  to  measure  his  mood,  but  not  once  allow- 
ing her  eyes  to  meet  his,  solved  it  in  an  instant. 

;<  You  go  with  Mr.  Whipple,  Jennie,"  she  said  to 
her  Barre  friend,  decisively,  "  for  he  knows  a  few 
people  in  your  city  and  you  can  tell  him  all  about 
them."  And  piqued  still  more  by  Hazel's  self-evi- 
dent wish  to  avoid  a  tete-a-tete  boat  trip  with  him, 
Stacy  assisted  his  selected  companion  into  the  small 
boat,  and  the  start  was  made. 

Of  course  these  two  had  to  talk  now,  and  whether 
from  an  intuitive  conception  of  Stacy's  feelings  to- 
wards Hazel,  or  spirit  of  mischief,  will  never  be 
known,  but  the  subject  the  fun-loving  Jennie 
chose  to  enlarge  upon  and  describe  was  her  several 
visits  to  Oakdale,  and  enjoyment  of  them  with 


324  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

Uncle  Asa's  geniality  and  aid,  also  how  Mr.  Arthur 
Penrose  was  very  much  enamored  of  Hazel,  with 
laughing  comments  upon  his  attentions  and  hopes  in 
that  connection.  Then  after  almost  an  hour  of 
this  chatty  and  delightful  (?)  gossip,  while  he 
smoked  fiercely  and  rowed  more  so,  she  added  a 
final  thrust  by  assuring  him  that  she  was  going  to 
remain  in  Oakdale  another  week,  and  had  persuaded 
Mr.  Penrose  to  stay  also. 

"  We  have  a  lot  of  fun  all  planned  out,"  she 
added,  as  a  last  sip  of  wormwood  tea  to  Stacy, 
"  or  Mr.  Penrose  has.  He  is  going  to  take  us  all 
on  a  straw  ride  to  the  shore  one  day  and  to  go  bath- 
ing. We  shall  dig  clams,  of  course,  and  cook  them 
in  the  big  pot  Uncle  Asa  keeps  in  his  fish  house, 
and  come  home  by  moonlight.  Then  we  girls  are 
going  to  have  a  picnic  in  a  grove  up  back  of  Hazel's 
schoolhouse,  with  a  lot  more,  and  there  is  a  pavilion 
there  to  dance  in.  If  you  are  going  to  be  here,  of 
course  you  can  consider  yourself  invited  to  the  pic- 
nic. Will  you  join  us  ?  " 

"  I  thank  you,  and  I  assure  you  I  should  enjoy 
it,"  Stacy  responded  in  ironical  tone,  "  but  I  am 
sorry  to  say  that  I  must  leave  this  afternoon.  I 
am  only  here  on  a  business  trip,  so  to  speak.  In 
fact,  I  stayed  over  a  day  just  to  go  on  this  outing." 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  325 

And  all  the  while  he  felt  that  he  would  like  to 
throw  the  dudish,  cigarette-smoking  Mr.  Penrose 
into  this  creek  at  low  tide,  and  watch  him  wade 
out  of  the  mud ! 

Stacy  arrived  at  the  boat  landing  ahead  of  Uncle 
Asa,  waited  there  with  his  voluble  companion  until 
he  came,  and  when  the  party  had  all  filed  up  the 
long  board  walk  and  halted  at  the  foot  of  the  lane, 
Stacy  made  his  adieu  with  the  best  grace  possible. 

"  I  am  sorry,  my  good  friends,  but  I  must  leave 
you  now,"  he  asserted,  consulting  his  watch  and 
surveying  the  group  with  a  smile.  "  I  had  planned 
to  go  to  Barre  yesterday  on  some  special  business; 
now  I  must  go,  and  return  to  Albion  to-night." 

"  I  wished  ye  could  stay  longer,"  responded  Uncle 
Asa  regretfully,  "  but  business  is  business,  I  s'pose. 
Hadn't  I  best  hitch  up,  W  take  ye  to  the  train?  I'd 
like  to." 

"  No,  thank  you ;  I've  a  little  matter  to  talk  over 
with  Sam,"  declared  Stacy  briskly,  "  and  he  is  to 
take  me  up." 

And  then  Hazel  also  proffered  a  quite  uninten- 
tional sip  of  wormwood  tea  to  Stacy. 

"  Molly's  cousin  from  Barre  has  a  straw  ride  to 
the  shore  planned  for  day  after  to-morrow,"  she 
said.  "  Can't  you  come  back  and  join  us,  Mr. 


326  THF  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

Whipple  ?  I  —  we  would  all  be  delighted  to  have 
you."  And  to  Stacy's  credit,  he  took  his  dose  with- 
out a  grimace. 

"  No,  I  thank  you  all  very  much,  but  I  can't  pos- 
sibly," he  answered  smiling. 

"  You'd  better  relent  and  say  yes,"  urged  Molly. 
"  Artie  is  the  only  gentleman,  and  we  need  two 
to  take  care  of  us." 

"  No,  no,  many  thanks,  but  I  positively  can't," 
declared  Stacy  again.  "  I  thank  you  all  for  this 
jolly  outing,  and  hope  I  may  have  another  some  day 
—  good-bye,"  and  turned  and  left  them. 

A  half  hour  later  and  after  Hazel's  three  girl 
friends  were  returning  villageward,  a  little  exchange 
between  them  must  now  be  quoted. 

"  I  think  he's  perfectly  splendid,"  asserted  Jennie 
Oaks,  "  and  all  over  eyes  in  love  with  Hazel  besides. 
But  he  was  so  mad  because  she  didn't  offer  to  come 
up  in  the  boat  with  him,  he  acted  like  a  bear.  I 
couldn't  get  him  to  talk  for  a  long  time.  Why 
didn't  she,  girls;  he  is  such  a  catch?  " 

"  I  know,"  responded  Bertha  Phinney  sagely, 
"  and  I  have  put  my  foot  in  it,  I  guess." 

"Oh,  how?  Tell  us,"  chorused  the  other  two 
eagerly ;  "  how  did  you  ?  " 

"  Promise  me  never  to  breathe  it,  hope  to  die  you 
won't,"  demanded  Bertha  in  awed  whisper. 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  327 

"  Oh,  yes,  yes,  tell  us  quick,"  they  both  promised 
as  one,  and  halting  to  hear  the  mysterious  secret. 

"  Well,  I've  no  business  to  tell  you,"  declared 
Bertha,  "  for  I  promised  mother  not  to,  but  — • 
but  " —  whispered  — "  he  has  had  a  deed  of  Bear 
Hole  Swamp  made  out  in  Hazel's  name,  and  father 
thinks  he  is  going  to  buy  it  back  from  that  man 
Uncle  Asa  sold  it  to,  and  give  it  to  Hazel!  What 
do  you  think  of  that,  girls?  " 

"Oh!  Oh!  Isn't  it  grand!"  asserted  Molly. 
"  He  certainly  means  to  marry  Hazel  if  he  can!  " 

"  And  I  told  Hazel  yesterday,"  admitted  Bertha 
in  penitent  tone. 

"  Then  you  have  put  your  foot  in  it,"  rejoined 
Molly,  vehemently. 

"  Both  feet,"  added  Jennie,  "  and  that  explains 
why  she  was  so  crusty  to  him  all  day.  You  have 
done  a  foolish  thing,  Bertha ! " 

And  so  she  had,  and  in  a  very  effective  way. 

"  I  dunno  why  you  didn't  offer  to  come  back  in 
the  boat  with  Mr.  Whipple;  why  didn't  ye,  girlie?  " 
Uncle  Asa  queried  of  Hazel  later  on  when  alone 
with  her.  "  I  kinder  thought  you  would,  'n' — 'n' 
I  kinder  wanted  to  hev  ye." 

"  I  had  my  reason,  father,"  she  answered  firmly, 
"  for  he  would  have  thought  I  was  anxious  to  be 
alone  with  him,  and  I  am  not." 


CHAPTER  XXVII 

WTH  Stacy  now,  to  bring  about  a  culmina- 
tion of  his  plans  and  accomplish  some- 
thing, there  seemed  need  of  quick  action. 
Time  was  speeding,  their  contract  with  the  Barre 
Committee  called  for  completion  within  two  years, 
then  specified  payment  for  power  delivered  for  a 
period  of  ten,  and  after  that  the  town  of  Barre  had 
agreed  to  reimburse  the  firm  of  Bemis,  Colby  & 
Company  for  all  outlay,  plus  ten  per  cent.,  and  own 
the  land,  dam,  and  power  house,  or  continue  to  pay 
rental,  and  the  aforesaid  firm  to  retain  ownership  if 
they  so  chose.  There  was  also  a  clause  that  if  the 
two  parties  failed  to  agree  upon  rental  after  the  ten 
years  had  expired,  it  should  be  left  to  arbitration. 
And  it  is  needless  to  say  that  the  keen  Stacy  had 
made  the  ten  years'  rental  high  enough  to  cover 
the  probable  cost  of  all  outlay  except  the  original 
one  for  land. 

His  main  purpose  in  visiting  Barre  now  was  to 
assure  its  Committee  that  power  would  be  ready 
for  delivery  on  time;  with  a  minor  one,  to  meet 

328 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  329 

and  see  what  manner  of  man  this  J.  Smith  Alton 
was,  who,  while  a  member  of  that  Committee,  had 
probably  betrayed  its  intentions  and  contract  to  La 
Rosa  Carmen,  and  she  to  Otero,  as  he  was  positive. 

He  arranged  by  telephone  that  Davis,  chairman 
of  this  committee  of  five,  should  meet  him  at  the 
hotel  within  an  hour  after  his  arrival,  assured  him 
that  he  had  a  suitable  site  purchased,  and  should 
have  it  surveyed  and  begin  work  within  a  month; 
also  that  they  need  have  no  fear  but  that  power 
would  be  ready  for  Barre's  use  within  the  time 
specified. 

"  But  what  about  the  story  I've  heard  of  this 
man,  Otero,  having  bought  the  site  you  intended  to 
use,  the  Bear  Hole  Swamp?"  queried  Davis  after 
this.  "What  is  his  game?" 

"  Extortion,  plain,  ordinary  extortion,"  returned 
Stacy,  smiling.  "  He  heard  through  a  woman, 
named  Carmen,  what  your  plans  were  and  ours. 
Came  here  with  a  backer  of  his  named  Curtis  North, 
alias  Pentecost  Curtis,  both  unprincipled  sharpers. 
They  nosed  and  moused  around  until  I  arrived, 
then  this  Otero  met  me  with  a  fake  proposition 
about  furnishing  us  with  contract  labor,  and  later 
on  —  as  I  planned  to  let  him  —  bought  Bear  Hole 
Swamp  of  its  owner,  Asa  Webster,  at  a  stiff  price. 


330  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

The  other  site,  the  one  I  wanted,  I  had  already 
bought,  however,"  and  Stacy  smiled  knowingly,  as 
one  who  had  euchred  the  other  fellow  most  effec- 
tively. 

"  But  who  gave  our  plans  away  ?  "  demanded 
Davis.  "  I'd  like  to  know  that  right  now.  It  was 
despicable ! " 

"  Rather/'  drawled  Stacy,  stroking  his  mustache 
and  smiling  serenely.  "  But  I  am  not  mixing  in 
on  that.  I've  got  a  deed  of  an  elegant  site,  the 
Rocky  Glen  Gorge,  duly  recorded.  We  shall  have 
our  dam  built  and  contract  completed  on  time,  and 
Messrs.  Otero,  Curtis,  and  Carmen,  et  al.,  can  use 
Bear  Hole  Swamp  to  fish  in  summers  if  they  like. 
It's  an  elegant  spot  for  that  purpose  —  I  tried  it ! 
And  never  did  I  flounder  and  crawl  through  a 
more  impassable  morass,  with  Mohawk  briars  so 
thick  you  couldn't  cut  through  them,  and  black  flies 
by  the  billion !  I'd  give  a  cool  hundred  to  drop  this 
Miss  Carmen  into  it  on  a  hot  July  day,"  and  Stacy 
chuckled  at  the  humor  of  it. 

"  You  know  her  then  ?  "  queried  Davis  curiously. 

"  By  reputation,  and  her  assistance  to  these  two 
sharpers,"  returned  Stacy  adroitly.  "  She  has  a 
character  and  name  much  like  this  swamp." 

"  But  who  gave  our  plans  away,  I  want  to  know," 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  331 

again  demanded  Davis ;  "  have  you  any  idea,  Mr. 
Whipple?" 

Then  Stacy  glanced  at  a  Knight  Templar  charm 
which  Davis  wore,  looked  around  the  hotel  office  to 
see  no  one  was  near,  and  back  to  Davis  again. 

"  You  are  a  K.  T.,  I  observe,"  he  said  in  a  low 
tone ;  "  so  am  I.  And  now  on  the  square,  and  under 
the is  Mr.  J.  Smith  Alton  a  Mason?  " 

"  No,  damn  him,  no!  "  almost  shouted  Davis,  in- 
stantly realizing  who  had  so  betrayed  a  trust. 
"  He  has  been  playing  fast  and  loose  for  some  time 
here  now,  owes  everybody  he  can  to  the  limit,  and 
—  by  Jove,  I  see  it  all,  and  it's  politics!  He  has 
been  alderman,  councilman,  and  up  again  for  that 
this  fall.  I  don't  like  him  or  any  man  of  his  morals, 
but  he  was  forced  onto  the  Committee.  And  so  it's 
him,  is  it?" 

"  Well,  I  have  almost  conclusive  proof  that  it  is," 
returned  Stacy  in  convincing  tone.  "  He  has  been 
sporting  around  with  this  Carmen  woman  this  sum- 
mer in  Albion.  A  trusted  clerk  in  my  office  over- 
heard her  tell  this  Otero  that  he  gave  your  plans 
away  to  her,  and  she  admitted  receiving  a  diamond 
bracelet  as  a  go-between,  and  promise  of  graft 
from  some  source.  These  are  the  facts ;  piece  them 
together  as  you  please  and  form  your  own  conclu- 


332  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

sions.  I  am  not  charging  your  Mr.  J.  Smith  Alton 
with  anything.  But  I  shall  try  to  play  the  Bemis, 
Colby  &  Company  hand  without  losing  tricks, 
however.  Later  on,  when  I  am  here  again,  Brother 
Davis,  I'll  tell  you  another  story  of  more  interest. 
In  the  meantime,  and  without  being  quoted,  I 
might  suggest  that  this  city  could  elect  a  substi- 
tute for  J.  S.  Alton,  with  benefit  to  itself.  Also, 
if  he  owes  you  anything,  the  sooner  you  collect  it, 
the  better." 

And  that  night  when  Stacy  boarded  the  last  train 
to  Albion  he  felt  that  he  had  partially  squared  him- 
self with  one  sneak. 

"  The  world  is  full  of  them,"  he  said  to  him- 
self, returning  to  cynicism  again.  "  They  crop  up 
on  all  sides  and  in  all  walks.  Graft  rules  our  city 
politics,  chicanery  and  trickery  are  all  about,  and 
trusts  dominate  business,  with  railroad  rebating  to 
assist  them." 

A  lurking  sense  of  annoyance  over  the  outcome 
of  his  visit  to  Oakdale  also  vexed  him,  and  visions 
of  the  cigarette-smoking  Penrose  intruding;  also  of 
him  posing  as  the  master  spirit  of  the  coming  straw 
ride  and  attentions  to  Hazel.  Stacy  wasn't  jealous 
exactly,  yet  that  green-eyed  monster  was  blinking 
at  him'  from  obscurity  in  vexing  manner. 

"  I  think  I  acted  like  a  fool,"  he  admitted  to  him- 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  333 

self  after  an  hour  of  this  meditation  while  the 
train  sped  on.  "  When  she  came  out  to  send  her 
father  to  bed  and  gave  me  a  chance  to  say  a  nice 
word,  I  only  sulked  like  a  jackanapes,  as  I  was." 

It  was  past  midnight  when  he  arrived  in  Albion. 
A  seven-hour  sleep,  bath,  good  breakfast,  some 
coddling  and  soothing  words  from  his  aunt  re- 
stored his  spirits ;  on  the  way  down  town  he  bought 
a  New  York  paper,  glanced  over  it  for  an  adver- 
tisement of  Curtis  &  Company,  then  almost  shouted 
with  satisfaction,  for  now  a  new  one  stared  at 
him  in  the  shape  of  an  offer  of  two  shares  of  the 
Passaiq  Reclaiming  Company  common  stock,  par 
value  one  hundred  dollars  each,  to  all  purchasers 
of  a  house-lot  at  four  hundred  dollars.  This  offer, 
so  that  advertisement  stated,  would  last  for  only  a 
few  days.  It  had  the  usual  flamboyant  big-type 
caption,  with  footnote,  to  write  for  map  of  the 
company's  property,  and  make  selection  before  the 
best  lots  were  all  taken. 

"  We'll  take  a  fall  out  of  you,  Mr.  Pentecost 
Whiskers,"  Stacy  said  to  himself  after  perusing 
this,  "  and  soon,  too!  I  must  get  busy  now !  " 

He  did,  too,  for  after  an  hour's  discussion  of 
their  own  affairs  with  Colby,  he  went  to  a  pho- 
tographer's, had  copies  of  the  Pentecost  Curtis 
signature  made  from  a  leaf  of  the  Barre  Hotel 


334  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

register  (which  he  had  bought  from  its  clerk  for 
one  dollar),  two  of  the  Curtis  North  one  on  Uncle 
Asa's  mine  certificate,  and  some  of  that  swindler's 
own  face  and  watch  fob.  Then,  after  a  consulta- 
tion of  time-tables,  he  wired  Harkins  to  meet  him 
in  New  York  at  the  Holland  House  with  Tygson 
and  the  necessary  requisition  papers,  and  to  wire 
answer  when. 

With  so  much  accomplished  towards  his  new  trap 
for  these  two  villains,  he  next  set  about  the  prepara- 
tion of  a  write-up  of  Curtis  North,  alias  Pentecost 
Curtis,  and  confederate,  Leon  Otero.  Their  his- 
tory, detailing  their  occupation  and  adventures  in 
Rawhide,  with  dates  and  incidents;  their  visits  to 
Oakdale  and  Barre,  present  location  and  business, 
even  condensed  as  Stacy  wrote  it,  made  a  lengthy 
document.  He  had  two  typewritten  copies  made  of 
it,  attached  the  several  photographs,  and  then  felt  he 
was  ready,  as  indeed  he  was. 

It  took  him  nearly  all  day,  and  after  the  close 
of  business,  as  Ike  was  leaving  the  office,  Stacy 
took  him  one  side  for  consultation. 

"  Well,  my  boy,"  he  said,  "  did  you  put  a  thorn 
into  that  Otero's  side  while  I  was  away  ?  " 

"  I  did  and  a  long  one,"  returned  Ike,  buoyantly, 
"  the  very  night  you  left  here.  I  made  the  rounds 
of  the  hotels,  found  he  was  stopping  at  the  New 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  335 

City,  and  that  eve  I  strolled  in  about  seven,  had 
a  friend  on  watch,  and  when  Otero  came  out  of 
the  dining-room,  my  friend  came  in,  greeted  me 
cordially,  then  we  took  seats  near  Otero,  and 
my  friend  told  me  the  great  joke  he  recently  heard 
in  Barre.  Put  on  all  the  frills,  too,  about  know- 
ing Davis  of  the  Committee,  and  how  Bemis,  Colby 
&  Company  were  going  right  ahead  to  dam  the 
Rocky  Gorge  brook  for  their  power  site.  Oh,  it 
worked  fine,  and  the  little  pup  kept  edging  his 
chair  up  to  us  so  as  not  to  miss  a  word.  Two  days 
after  I  sent  my  friend  around  to  the  hotel,  and 
found  that  Otero  left  town  the  day  after  we  worked 
the  spell  on  him." 

"  Good !  good !  "  rejoined  Stacy,  "  and  now  keep 
quiet.  I  may  want  you  to  do  a  little  more  sleuth- 
ing later  on."  And  Stacy  hurried  away,  for  he 
had  many  matters  to  attend  to. 

Next  day,  to  make  sure  of  his  ground,  or  rather 
to  know  what  steps  Harkins  must  take  in  order  to 
arrest  both  Curtis  North  and  Otero  and  take  them 
back  to  Nevada,  if  that  should  be  decided  upon, 
Stacy  consulted  their  attorney,  and  stated  the  case, 
using  no  names,  however.  And  now,  armed  with 
his  deadly  parallel  write-up,  with  photographs  of 
Curtis  North,  his  watch  fob,  original  signature,  and 
later  alias  attached  to  both,  and  this  legal  dictum 


336  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

for  guidance,  Stacy,  feeling  that  he  held  the  winning 
hand,  went  to  their  office  once  more. 

And  there  awaiting  him  was  a  telegram  from 
Harkins : 

"  Meet  you  at  Holland,  the  fourteenth.  Get  let- 
ters to  enable  me  to  obtain  extradition." 

"  Of  course!  "  exclaimed  Stacy  gleefully.  "  And 
now,  my  friend,  I  have  you  on  the  hip !  " 

And  then  Colby  faced  around  from  his  desk  and 
favored  Stacy  with  a  half -humorous  and  decidedly 
sarcastic  smile. 

"  Say,  old  man,"  he  ejaculated  with  a  broader 
grin,  "  you  are  busier  than  a  dog  full  of  fleas ! 
Here  you've  been  in  town  two  days,  and  this  is 
the  first  time  you've  paused  to  sit  down!  What's 
eating  you,  anyhow  ?  Hath  love  made  you  mad  ?  " 

"  No,  but  Curtis  North  has,"  rejoined  Stacy, 
smiling  and  getting  at  the  point  at  once,  "  and  we've 
got  to  have  that  Bear  Hole  Swamp  for  our  reser- 
voir, and  just  now  Curtis  North  or  Pal  Otero  holds 
a  deed  of  it.  Paid  Uncle  Asa,  '  Uncle  Rube '  you 
call  him,  nine  thousand,  five  hundred  for  it !  " 

"  Well,  I  don't  wonder  you've  got  fleas," 
chuckled  Colby.  "  What  do  you  propose  to  do 
about  it  ?  " 

"  Why,  twist  this  villain,  and  make  him  or  Otero 
sign  a  deed  for  it  for  one  dollar  and  other  considera- 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  337 

tions,  said  considerations  being  what  I've  been  work- 
ing up  the  past  two  days,"  asserted  Stacy,  buoyantly. 
"  I've  got  him  where  I  want  him!  " 

"  You  think  you  have,"  responded  Colby  with 
sarcastic  smile.  "  Now  I  know  the  shortcake  maid 
has  upset  your  sanity!  Why,  man  alive,  you 
couldn't  scare  that  old  reprobate  with  a  hangman's 
noose ! " 

"  He  will  see  one  dangling  before  I'm  done  with 
him,"  asserted  Stacy,  lighting  a  cigar  and  tipping 
back  in  his  chair  to  enjoy  himself.  "  And  now,  my 
boy,  I've  another  bombshell  for  you  and  a  scheme 
to  make  a  million,  you  and  I !  Bear  Hole  Swamp 
will  make  a  reservoir  big  enough  to  turn  ten  thou- 
sand spindles  or  run  a  score  of  shops  at  practically 
no  investment  for  us  except  the  power  plant.  We 
shall  buy  the  land  below  it,  dike  the  power  along  for 
a  mile  or  so,  dig  out  a  nice  harbor  close  by,  adver- 
tise the  layout,  and  in  two  years  sell  land  at  any 
old  price,  and  you  are  in  on  the  game !  There's  mil- 
lions in  it,  my  boy !  " 

"  Going  to  build  a  shop  and  start  making  eye- 
wash, my  dear  Colonel  Sellers,"  rejoined  Colby, 
"  or  some  new  kidney  cure  from  your  swamp 
roots  ? "  Then  in,  commiserating  tone,  "  I  first 
thought  it  was  love  madness,  my  poor  fellow;  now 
I  know  you've  got  incipient  paresis  or  need  a 


338  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

strait-jacket!  Better  go  back  to  your  sweet  sim- 
plicity, sing  coon  songs  with  her  evenings,  and  boss 
our  workmen  daytimes.  This  hallucination  will 
blow  over  in  due  time." 

"  Bet  you  an  even  hundred  I  succeed  with  old 
Curtis  North,"  responded  Stacy  defiantly,  "  and 
you're  not  in  on  the  land  deal,  either.  Give  me  a 
check  for  five  hundred.  I'm  going  to  New  York 
to-night." 

"  That  sounds  natural  and  familiar,  anyhow," 
laughed  Colby,  filling  one  out.  "  I  shan't  give  up 
hope  for  you  yet.  I  think  the  Oakdale  girl  is  the 
only  cure  for  you,  however."  And  so  the  interview 
ended. 

Stacy's  next  move  was  to  write  to  Uncle  Asa, 
bidding  him  make  ready  and  come  to  New  York  on 
the  night  train  out  of  Oakdale  on  the  twelfth,  and 
promising  to  meet  him  there  on  his  arrival. 

Before  signing  it,  he  paused  to  consider  an  addi- 
tional plan  in  this  connection. 

"Why  not  ask  him  to  bring  Hazel  along?"  he 
said  to  himself.  Then  after  a  long  deliberation 
added,  "  No,  she'll  think  I'm  too  anxious ;  and  as 
her  pa  would  say,  '  Don't  try  to  bake  till  your  oven's 
hot,  my  boy,'  "  then  signed  and  sealed  the  letter. 

A  little  of  the  Mother  Eve  in  Hazel  came  to  the 
surface  when  this  letter  arrived,  for  she,  recogniz- 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  339 

ing  Stacy's  writing,  watched  her  father  curiously 
while  he  read  it.' 

"  Did  —  did  he  say  anything  about  his  visit  here 
and  the  camping-out  party?"  she  queried  naively 
and  with  well-simulated  indifference. 

Then  Uncle  Asa,  who  could  read  her  mind  as 
easily  as  she  could  his,  smiled  benignly  with  a 
twinkle  in  his  eyes.  "  No,  girlie,"  he  responded, 
watching  her,  "  Oakdale's  only  a  flag  station  in  his 
life,  'n'  I  cal'late  he's  forgot  ye  by  now.  He  wants 
me  to  meet  him  in  New  York  in  three  days  'n'  we're 
goin'  to  hev  a  lot  o'  fun  with  that  mine  sharper! 
Oh,  I've  got  a  hull  circus  a-comin',  I  hev,  'n'  a 
chance  to  sass  him  good  'n'  hard  in  the  bargain. 
I  jist  can't  wait  till  I  git  at  him.  'N'  the  little 
weasel,  too,"  he  added  after  a  chuckle.  "  I've  a 
great  notion  to  ketch  a  few  snakes  'n'  take  'em 
along  in  a  box  ez  a  reminder  to  him,  I  hev !  By  the 
great  horn  spoon,  I  will,  too ! " 

And  he  did. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII 

FOR  over  six  months  now,  or  since  early 
spring,  Curtis  North  —  as  we  must  call  him 
—  had  devoted  about  all  his  time  and  atten- 
tion, also  considerable  money,  to  the  launching  and 
development  of  his  new  swindling  scheme  of  the 
Passaic  Reclaiming  and  Development  Company. 
He  began  by  buying  about  one  hundred  acres  of  salt 
marsh  land  along  the  bank  of  this  ocean  estuary, 
whose  only  value  was  its  annual  crop  of  coarse  hay 
and  a  few  billion  mosquitoes,  also  obtaining  options 
on  a  thousand  or  more  acres  (three-quarters  of  the 
payment  specified  to  be  in  company  stock  if  taken), 
then  had  it  surveyed,  a  map  made  showing  a  bird's- 
eye  view  of  an  embryo  city  with  avenues,  streets, 
a  few  houses  along  the  bordering  river,  a  wharf 
with  pleasure  boats  alongside,  and  a  well-loaded 
excursion  steamer  nearing  it,  and  other  details  usu- 
ally thrown  in  by  keen  artists  who  prepare  these 
alluring  baits  to  catch  the  unwary.  He  also  hired 
a  few  Italians  with  a  manager  and  set  them  at  work 
driving  spiles  and  building  a  cheap  wharf  on  the 

340 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  341 

river  border  and  midway  of  his  land,  also  ditching 
alongside  and  filling  in  a  roadway  to  the  upland. 

"  We've  got  to  make  a  bluff  in-  order  to  scoop  the 
suckers,"  he  asserted  to  Otero  buoyantly  when  be- 
ginning this  work.  "  It's  money  thrown  into  the 
mud,  I  know,  but  it  must  be  done,  and  I'll  make  'em 
pay  it  back  tenfold." 

In  the  meantime,  he  talked  continuously,  per- 
sistently, and  like  an  oracle  among  his  Wall  Street 
acquaintances  about  his  plans  and  prospects  of 
money-making,  handed  out  hundreds  of  his  maps 
to  all  who  would  glance  at  them,  left  bunches  in 
hotel  offices,  scattered  them  in  depot  waiting-rooms, 
hired  boys  to  tuck  them  under  doors  in  residential 
streets,  paid  a  daily  paper  a  round  sum  for  a  two- 
column  write-up,  and,  in  short,  adopted  the  usual 
and  invariable  methods  of  exploiting  such  schemes. 
Then,  timing  his  advertisements  for  the  sale  of 
bonds  at  the  time  when  public  curiosity  was  aroused 
sufficiently,  he  found  scores  of  fatuous  buyers  for 
them.  Strange  as  the  fact  may  seem,  a  good  many 
were  among  the  keen-witted  cult  of  Wall  Street. 
His  next  move,  and  brought  about  by  the  usual 
methods  of  stock  gamblers,  was  to  get  both  the 
common  stock  and  bonds  of  his  swindling  company 
listed  on  the  curb  —  that  indefinite  mart  where  all 


342  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

such  often  worthless  securities  are  traded  in;  an 
arena,  so  to  speak,  where  these  speculative  liars  toss 
worthless  dice  back  and  forth  to  amuse  themselves, 
and  get  one  another  short  or  long  as  the  case  may 
be. 

Of  course  this  resulted  in  the  daily  quotations  of 
the  P.  R.  &  D.  stock  and  bonds  in  all  papers,  and 
accomplished  what  he  intended  —  a  still  wider  pub- 
licity for  his  scheme.  He  would  also  now  and  then, 
aided  by  a  confederate  or  two,  engineer  a  small 
corner  in  the  P.  R.  &  D.  marked  cards,  get  a  few  of 
the  gay  and  festive  crowd  of  gamblers  short  of 
them,  and  laugh  in  his  sleeve  when  they  bid  them  up 
in  a  scramble  to  cover. 

He  had  also  sold  about  fifty  thousand  dollars 
worth  of  the  quarter-million  of  bonds  he  had  had 
printed  when  Otero,  via  Carmen  and  her  friend,  J. 
Smith  Alton,  gave  him  what  seemed  a  wide-open 
chance  to  work  a  side-swindle  by  buying  the  in- 
tended dam  site  selected  by  Bemis,  Colby  and  Com- 
pany, and  making  them  pay  smartly  for  it. 

And,  as  Stacy  surmised,  it  was  La  Rosa  Carmen 
with  her  unholy  desire  to  avenge  her  desertion  by 
him  and  her  influence  upon  Otero,  that  brought  this 
about. 

The  investment  of  the  ten  thousand  dollars  in 
this  was  a  mere  bagatelle  to  Curtis  North,  however, 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  343 

and  only  done  to  give  his  faithful  ally,  Otero,  a 
pat  on  the  back  and  a  chance  to  make  a  few  thou- 
sand to  spend  upon  his  adored  countrywoman, 
Carmen. 

"  You  can  run  that  scheme  to  suit  yourself,  boy, 
and  have  all  the  fun  and  half  the  profit,"  he  said  to 
Otero  in  grandiloquent  tone  upon  drawing  a  check 
for  that  amount.  "  Be  careful  not  to  mix  me  up 
in  the  deal,  however,  and  don't  get  caught  yourself. 
All  I  want  is  to  give  you  a  chance  to  show  your 
smartness,  and  my  money  back  as  soon  as  these 
contractors  settle." 

He  little  realized  how  deep  a  pit  was  being  dug 
for  himself,  how  the  would-be  biter  would  get  bit- 
ten, or  how  Nemesis  in  the  persons  of  Stacy,  Har- 
kins,  Tygson,  et  al.,  were  hot  upon  his  trail,  how- 
ever. 

Like  an  ostrich  that  hides  its  head  in  the  sand 
and  believes  its  body  out  of  danger,  so  did  Curtis 
North  feel  sure  that  change  of  name,  a  few  thou- 
sand miles'  separation  from  his  Rawhide  swindling 
location,  the  possession  of  much  money,  and  meta- 
morphosis into  an  affluent  financier  rendered  him 
immune  from  any  and  all  retribution.  While  not 
forgetting  the  fatal  night  in  Rawhide  that  added 
about  sixty  thousand  dollars  to  his  ill-gotten  gains, 
and  sent  him  east  in  a  hurry,  six  years  of  prosperity 


344  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

and  the  garnering  of  a  half -million  more  had  made 
that  episode  seem  a  faint  shadow  upon  the  horizon 
of  his  past.  He  was  now  rotund,  smiling,  buoyant, 
cynical,  quite  content  with  his  own  success  as  an  all- 
round  swindler,  toadied  to  all  who  had  more  money 
than  himself,  was  an  arrant  hypocrite,  felt  only  con- 
tempt for  all  honest  toilers,  and  inclined  to  adopt 
that  shibboleth  of  arrogant  wealth,  "  The  public  be 
damned." 

And  this  was  a  concise  and  to-the-point  resume 
of  Curtis  North  and  the  Passaic  Reclaiming  and 
Development  Company  that  night  when  Stacy 
Whipple,  an  avenging  David,  landed  in  New  York 
ready  to  assault  this  modern  and  iniquitous 
Goliath.  And  the  first  pebble  he  picked  up  on 
arriving  at  the  Holland  House  was  a  map  of  that 
swindling  scheme  recently  left  on  one  of  its  writing- 
room  tables.  He  gave  a  long-drawn  "  humph- 
hum  "  of  satisfaction  as  he  glanced  it  over  and  read 
the  alluring  prospectus  on  its  reverse  side,  then  put 
it  in  his  long  pocketbook. 

"  We  are  on  deck  at  the  nick  of  time,  I  guess," 
he  said  to  himself  then,  "  and  to  catch  you  flush 
with  money  and  able  to  settle,  you  old  villain. 
Hope  Harkins  will  arrive  on  time." 

He  next  bought  a  copy  of  each  evening  paper, 
left  them  in  his  room,  ate  a  good  supper,  went  to  the 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  345 

theatre  and,  as  might  be  expected,  while  there 
scanned  the  crowd  of  faces  to  see  if  perchance  this 
scheming  swindler  might  be  among  them.  On  his 
return,  he  conned  over  that  bunch  of  papers,  found 
two  in  which  the  stock  premium  advertisement  of 
Curtis  and  Company  appeared,  and  happening  to 
glance  down  the  column  of  stock  market  quotations 
discovered  "  Passaic  Development  —  fourteen  and 
one-quarter  bid,  fifteen  asked,"  among  the  curb 
securities. 

Then  he  gave  a  prolonged  whistle  of  astonish- 
ment ! 

"  Well,  you  are  flying  high,"  he  exclaimed,  "  and 
no  mistake!  Also  right  in  the  swim,  you  swelled- 
up  toad !  Fourteen  and  a  quarter  bid  for  one  share 
of  hot-air  bluff,  is  it?  I  don't  wonder  Puck  said, 
'  What  fools  these  mortals  be ! '  Then  Stacy  be- 
gan his  castle  building  again  and  added,  "  Wonder 
how  '  Pentecost  Curtis,  the  well-known  promoter, 
arrested  for  murder,'  in  staring  capitals  in  all  the 
papers,  will  look  to  you  when  you  start  west  with 
Harkins?  I  must  have  a  reporter  on  hand  when 
the  trick  is  turned,  that's  certain !  " 

And  so  hilarious  was  Stacy  over  his  prospects 
and  so  anxious  to  consummate  his  plans  and 
"  scoop "  this  reprobate,  that  he  found  sleep  an 
elusive  matter  that  night. 


346  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

Next  morning,  and  with  two  days  on  his  hands 
before  Uncle  Asa  and  Harkins  were  to  arrive,  he 
hied  himself  away  to  hunt  up  the  location  and  look 
over  this  great  development  scheme.  The  informa- 
tion in  the  prospectus,  and  the  fact  that  it  was 
within  three  miles  of  Newark's  outskirts  made  that 
easy,  and  here,  first  reconnoitering  the  dozen  or  so 
men  at  work  ditching  or  road  or  wharf  building  to 
make  sure  that  Curtis  was  not  among  them,  Stacy 
advanced  as  ij:  on  a  curiosity  quest  and  made  a  gen- 
eral survey  of  what  had  been  done. 

Some  money  had  been  spent  here,  also,  in  a  pass- 
able roadway  built  out  from  the  upland  border  a 
half-mile  across  the  marsh,  and  in  an  out-jutting 
wharf  and  spile-protected  levee  to  right  and  left  of 
this. 

"  You  certainly  are  putting  up  a  good  bluff,"  he 
said  to  himself  after  a  hasty  look  around  in  which 
he  noted  two  small  gangs  of  men  lazily  at  work  on 
both  ends  of  his  levee.  Then  glancing  into  one  of 
the  ditches  alongside  the  graveled  roadway  out  of 
which  the  tide  was  ebbing,  he  added,  "  Sell  house- 
lots  here!  Why,  the  nerve  of  that  man  is  monu- 
mental, colossal,  and  past  understanding!" 

Then  betook  himself  back  to  New  York. 

That  afternoon  he,  using  an  introductory  letter 
from  his  own  attorney  in  Albion,  called  upon  one 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  347 

in  New  York  and  obtained  further  information 
upon  the  laws  concerning  the  cas'e  in  hand  if,  as  he 
surmised,  Harkins  should  make  an  arrest ;  of  course 
without  the  use  of  names. 

"  There  should  be,"  the  attorney  said,  "  a  warrant 
issued  against  the  perpetrator  of  the  crime  of  mur- 
der in  the  State  of  Nevada,  or  better  still,  an  indict- 
ment should  be  found  against  him  by  the  grand 
jury.  Of  course,  having  left  the  State  he  has  not 
been  arrested  and  the  warrant  or  indictment  still 
runs  against  him  and  if  he  is  found  at  any  time 
within  the  borders  of  the  State  of  Nevada,  he  can 
be  apprehended  by  a  sheriff.  Now  the  man  in  New 
York,  who  recognizes  the  fugitive  and  any  other 
person,  the  sheriff  in  your  case,  who  can  make  an 
affidavit,  first,  that  a  crime  of  murder  has  been 
committed  by  a  man  of  a  certain  name  in  the  State 
of  Nevada  (this  can  be  the  affidavit  of  the  sheriff 
or  of  any  other  competent  witness)  ;  second,  the 
affidavit  of  the  man  in  New  York  that  the  fugitive 
and  the  criminal  is  the  same  identical  person,  who 
has  committed  a  crime  in  Nevada  and  is  recognized 
by  him  and  known  by  him  in  the  State  of  New 
York.  Affidavits  like  this  are  then  annexed  to  the 
warrant  or  indictment,  as  the  case  may  be,  and  the 
Governor  of  Nevada  upon  this  evidence  issues  a 
requisition  to  the  Governor  of  New  York  and  sends 


348  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

that  requisition  in  the  hands  of  a  Nevada  sheriff 
to  the  Governor  of  New  York,  who  immediately 
orders  extradition  papers  to  issue.  These  extradi- 
tion papers  are  directed  to  any  person  in  the  State 
of  New  York  competent  to  serve  judicial  processes, 
that  is,  a  sheriff  or  police  officer,  and  authorizes  the 
arrest  of  the  person  named  therein,  the  fugitive. 
Upon  his  arrest,  it  is  the  practice  in  the  State  of 
New  York  for  the  officer  making  the  arrest  to  take 
the  man  in  company  with  the  Nevada  sheriff  on 
board  the  cars  and  convey  him  as  far  as  the  State 
line,  where  he  turns  him  over  to  the  sheriff  from 
Nevada,  who  carries  him  to  his  destination. 

"  There  is  no  way  in  which  any  bond  can  be  given 
in  a  case  of  this  kind.  The  only  thing  possible 
would  be  a  writ  of  habeas  corpus,  into  which  you 
do  not  want  to  go.  That  would  simply  be  a  chance 
for  him  to  be  heard  in  New  York  before  he  was  de- 
livered to  the  sheriff  of  Nevada." 

And  so  justice  and  the  forthcoming  doom  of  this 
despicable  and  heartless  scoundrel  were  duly  and  le- 
gally prepared  for  by  Stacy,  who  did  not  mean  to 
leave  any  loopholes  for  escape,  or  get  his  own 
fingers  caught  in  any  trap-springing  operation. 

A  forewarning  of  it,  or  at  least  the  probable  fail- 
ure of  the  Oakdale  scheme,  came  to  Curtis  North 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  349 

when  Otero  hastened  back  from  Albion  to  acquaint 
him  with  Ike's  disclosure. 

"  I  haf  suspicion  ze  talk  of  zese  two  fellows  vas 
made  for  me  to  hear,"  he  asseried  to  his  superior 
knave  after  relating  it  in  their  private  office  in  low 
tone,  so  that  the  clerk  and  stenographer  in  the  outer 
one  could  not  hear.  "  One  of  them  vas  in  ze  hotel 
that  day  to  find  eef  I  vas  there,  a  tall  fellow  vit 
big  hands,  und  Miss  Carmen  says  it  ees  one  who 
ees  in  that  man  Whipple's  office.  Und  I  haf  sus- 
picion of  somedings  else  I  haf  never  told  you,"  he 
added  more  mysteriously.  "  Dis  tall  fellow,  his 
name  ees  Williams,  und  a  man  of  zat  name  come  to 
where  I  haf  room  in  ze  city  here  und  asked  for  me 
und  you,  too,  ze  week  we  vas  in  Barre  und  said  he 
vanted  to  hire  some  men,  und  you  know  my  card  I 
gif  Mr.  Whipple  in  Barre  vas  a  bluff." 

Then  the  self-confident  Curtis  North  began  to 
stroke  his  beloved  side-whiskers  excitedly  and 
stared  sharply  at  Otero.  "  Why  didn't  you  tell  me 
about  this  man's  asking  for  me  ?  "  he  demanded 
anxiously  after  a  pause.  "  How  did  you  know  but 
it  was  some  sleuth  ?  " 

"  I  did  not  think  so  much  of  it  zen,"  returned 
Otero  evasively,  "  und  I  forgot  it  since  until  now. 
Vat  I  do  think  ees  some  trick  haf  been  blayed  on 


350  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

us  und  ze  swamp,  ze  tarn  swamp  I  bought,  zey  no 
want  now.  Miss  Carmen  says  she  know  zey  haf 
bought  another  in  Oakdale." 

And  then  Curtis  North  fairly  glared  at  the 
diminutive  pal  he  had  so  trusted.  "  You've  got 
skinned  in  this  game,  and  by  an  old  farmer,  too," 
he  declared  in  derision,  "  and  I  am  ashamed  of  you, 
you  —  you  little  damn  fool;  why  that  —  that 
farmer  is  a  mark,  and  you  let  him  do  you ! 

"  And  me  out  of  ten  thousand  dollars,  you  drivel- 
ing idiot,"  he  added  more  contemptuously  and 
louder,  as  it  all  dawned  on  him.  "  Just  threw  it  into 
that  swamp  hole  like  the  stupid  jackass  you  were." 
And  so  angry  was  he  now,  he  jumped  up  and 
stamped  around  the  small  office! 

"  This  comes  of  getting  befuddled  and  bedeviled 
by  a  scheming  woman,"  he  continued  more  scorn- 
fully and  with  rising  wrath.  "  You  got  after  that 
Carmen  hag,  she  had  a  spite  against  this  Whipple, 
as  you  admitted,  and  put  up  the  job!  Played  you 
for  a  fool  and  called  the  turn!  Also  ten  thousand 
dollars  out  of  me,  you  —  you  imbecile  ass !  "  Then, 
and  cooling  off  a  little,  he  sat  down  again. 

And  now,  shrewd  villain  that  he  was,  it  began  to 
dawn  on  him  that  some  one's  wits  far  keener  than 
Asa  Webster's,  had  been  matched  against  his  in  this 
game  of  extortion. 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  351 

"  It's  that  Whipple  fellow  at  the  bottom  of  this, 
Leon,"  he  declared,  nodding  in  mysterious  manner, 
and  in  cooler  tone  now.  "  He  suspected  your  game 
that  day  in  Barre,  I'll  bet,  and  went  back  to  Oakdale 
and  put  up  the  job  out  of  devilish  cussedness !  I'll 
bet,  too,  he  was  the  one  who  called  at  your  house ! " 

And  just  then,  and  for  the  first  time  in  many 
years,  Curtis  North  felt  a  queer  sensation  of  guilty 
fear. 

"  It  can't  be  possible  that  old  farmer  described 
me  to  this  fellow,  Whipple,  and  he  recognized  me 
as  the  one  who  sold  him  the  Rawhide  stock,"  he 
muttered  half  to  himself.  "  By  Jove,  I  hope  not !  " 

It  was  not  long  ere  a  worse  fear  assailed  him. 


CHAPTER  XXIX 

WLL,  how  are  you,  Uncle  Asa  ?  "  was 
Stacy's  greeting  the  third  morning 
after  his  arrival  in  New  York,  when 
that  cheerful  optimist  emerged  from  a  sleeping  car. 

"  Wai,  I'm  middlin',"  he  responded,  grasping 
Stacy's  hand,  and  with  a  "  Here,  leggo  my  bag," 
he  added  as  he  yanked  it  away  from  a  young  colored 
porter  who  had  grabbed  it. 

"  That  is,  I'm  out  o'  that  sweat  box  alive  arter 
bumpin'  my  head  more'n  forty  times  tryin'  to  git 
my  clothes  on  in  the  box  shelf,  'n'  I  didn't  sleep  a 
wink,  either. 

"  But  I've  had  a  heap  o'  fun,"  he  continued,  shak- 
ing with  suppressed  laughter  and  drawing  Stacy 
one  side  from  the  crowding  stream  of  arriving  pas- 
sengers. "  More  fun'n  a  barrel  of  monkeys !  See 
that  woman  with  the  red  nose  ?  '*  he  added,  indicat- 
ing a  stout  lady  with  meat-axe  face  and  hair-mole 
on  her  chin,  who  was  waddling  by.  "  See  this, 
too  ?  "  holding  up  a  paper-wrapped  box  and  choking 


another  burst  of  laughter. 


352 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  353 

Then  Stacy,  curious  to  know  the  cause  of  Uncle 
Asa's  hilarity,  peeped  through  a  rift  in  the  brown- 
papered  parcel  he  carried  and  saw  three  good-sized 
black  snakes  squirming  in  the  wire  box ! 

"  What  the  devil  did  you  fetch  those  for  ?  "  he 
ejaculated,  astonished. 

"  Oh,  fer  the  little  weasel  I'm  goin'  to  sass,"  came 
the  chuckling  answer ;  "  'n'  say,  talk  'bout  a  circus 
'n'  hullabaloo,  wal,  I  stirred  both  up  in  the  car  this 
mornin',  I  did  fer  sartin!  Ye  see,  I  brung  four 
snakes  'long,  jest  ez  a  sorter  reminder  o'  B'ar  Hole 
swamp  to  the  little  Mexican  cuss,  'n'  shoved  the  old 
rat  trap  I  got  'em  in  under  the  shelf  whar  I  war 
put  by  the  nig  who  had  charge  o'  the  car.  Wal, 
'long  in  the  night  one  on  'em  got  out,  ye  see,  'n' 
'bout  daylight  the  fun  begun!  I  wa'n't  asleep,  jist 
layin'  thar  'most  suffocated,  'n'  I  heerd  the  darky 
come  scufflin'  down  the  aisle.  I  peeked  out  through 
the  curtains  'n'  saw  him  stoopin'  to  steal  a  pair  o' 
shoes  from  under  the  bunk  jist  across  from  me,  I 
cal'late,  'n'  ez  he  pulled  one  out,  one  o'  my  snakes 
slid  out  on't  right  over  his  hand !  'N'  talk  'bout  a 
scart  nigger !  He  war  it,  all  right,  fer  he  gave  one 
screech  o'  '  God  A'mighty,  de  debbil,'  'n'  turned  a 
flip-flap  right  over  back;  his  head  hit  the  floor  with 
a  thump  'n'  when  he  riz,  he  riz  a  runnin' !  All  I 
could  see  war  a  streak  o'  white  jacket  a  yellin', 


354  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

*  Snake,  snake  in  de  keer ! '  I  cal'late  he'd  turned 
white,  too,  jist  from  skeer. 

"  The  next  minute  that  fat  woman  poked  her 
head  out,  V  right  under  her  nose  war  that  snake, 
'n'  the  yell  she  let  out  would  'a'  lifted  shingles, 
sartin!  'Twa'n't  a  second  'fore  she  bust  out 
through  the  curtains  in  her  nightgown,  'n'  jist  dove 
down  the  aisle  arter  the  nig  a-yellin'  *  Snakes, 
snakes,'  fit  to  split!  I  don't  think  'twas  over  a 
minute  'fore  everybody  in  the  bunks  had  piled  out 
jist  as  they  war,  'n'  into  the  next  keer,  I  cal'late, 
scart  silly! 

"  'N'  then  the  conductor  come  in !  *  What's  the 
row ! '  he  said  to  me,  a-peekin'  out  'n'  laughin'. 

" '  Why,  the  nigger  war  took  with  jim-jams,'  I 
said,  '  jist  ez  he  war  stealin'  a  pair  o'  shoes,  'n' 
thought  he  saw  a  snake  slip  out  o'  one  o'  'em ! ' 
4  I'll  have  him  fired,'  he  said,  '  to  start  sich  a  row,' 
'n'  then  he  went  out  'n'  fetched  the  bunch  back  to 
git  dressed.  I  went  at  it,  too,  s'posin'  the  fun  was 
all  over  'n'  then  jist  ez  it  war  quietin'  down,  the 
nig  came  back  where  he  war,  'n'  liftin'  up  a  bunk, 
out  come  that  snake  agin !  " 

"Well,  what  happened  then?"  queried  Stacy, 
now  choking  back  his  laughter.  "  Was  —  was  the 
fat  woman  back  then?" 

"  Yes,  but  she  didn't  stay  back  more'n  a  second," 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  355 

chuckled  Uncle  Asa,  as  they  started  on.  "  She 
grabbed  most  o'  her  clothes,  jumped  right  into  a 
man  with  one  leg  in  his  pants,  'n'  the  two  on  'em 
jist  rolled  over  in  a  bunch,  he  cussin'  'n'  she 
screechin' !  Oh,  'twar  a  circus,  I  tell  ye,  'n'  I'll 
laugh  fer  a  month  now. 

"  I'd  'a'  got  killed  I  s'pose  if  they'd  found  out 
I  brung  the  snakes,"  he  added,  glancing  back  as 
they  emerged  from  the  depot,  "  but  you  kin  bet  I 
kept  whist.  I  got  square  with  the  nig,  too,"  he 
continued,  chuckling  again.  "  Ye  see,  'long  in  the 
night  I  axed  him  to  shove  up  the  cover  over  my 
bunk  —  nobody  in  it,  ye  see  — 'n'  he  tried  to  skin 
me  out  o'  two  plunks,  the  dern  thief,  he  did! 

"  '  Ah  can't  do  it,  sah,'  he  said, '  less  you  pays  two 
dollars  moah,  sah,  dat's  de  rule  ob  de  company,  sah/ 

"  Guess  he'll  'member  last  night  a  spell,  how- 
somever,"  Uncle  Asa  added,  chuckling  again. 
And  then  Stacy  steered  this  joke-loving  humorist 
into  a  carriage  and  started  for  the  Holland  House. 

"  You'd  better  keep  fast  hold  of  your  snakes," 
Stacy  now  cautioned  him  as  they  rode  on,  "  or  you'll 
start  a  bigger  rumpus  in  the  hotel  than  you  did  in 
the  sleeping  car.  There  will  be  a  porter  and  bell 
boys  to  grab  everything  you  bring,  and  if  they 
see  your  snakes  —  well,  we  may  both  get  into  a 
scrape.  I  believe  there  is  a  city  ordinance  against 


356  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

carrying  them.  I'll  take  charge  of  them."  And  he 
did,  now  re-wrapping  the  wire  trap  so  that  no  one 
could  discover  its  uncanny  contents. 

Later,  when  Stacy  had  piloted  the  irrepressible 
Uncle  Asa  to  their  suite  of  rooms,  he  sent  a  bell 
boy  out  for  a  telescope  case  and  put  the  rat  trap  and 
snakes  in  it. 

At  breakfast,  next  in  order,  Uncle  Asa's  droll 
humor  once  more  disclosed  itself. 

"  I  cal'late  these  Frenchified  names  fer  jist  old- 
fashioned  ham  'n'  eggs  'n'  fried  puddin'  or  sassige," 
he  queried,  glancing  over  the  cafe  menu,  "  is  so  they 
kin  tuck  on  sich  ungodly  prices,  ain't  it,  Stacy? 
Lamb  chops  a  la  suthin'  or  other  dollar-fifty,  Je-ru- 
se-lem,  but  that  is  chargin'  some !  'N'  Extra  Sir- 
loin Steak  in  blazer  three-fifty,  'n'  planked  a  la 
Roosevelt  four  dollars,  wow  wow!  Squab  en  cas- 
serole two-seventy-five,"  he  continued,  reading  on, 
"  'n'  potatoes  a  la  Holland  House  one  dollar,  'n' 
coffee,  quarter  a  cup!  Say  Mister  Waiter,"  turning 
to  the  waiting  one,  "  how  much  is  a  glass  o'  water, 
jist  plain  water,  no  a  la  in  it?  " 

"  Eet  is  no  charge  for  ze  water,"  returned  the 
waiter,  grinning  and  filling  Uncle  Asa's  glass,  "  no 
charge,  saire." 

And  then  Stacy  came  to  the  rescue. 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  357 

"  You  are  my  guest,  Uncle  Asa,"  he  said  smiling; 
"  let  me  order  breakfast."  And  he  did,  a  most 
satisfying  one.  But  when  Uncle  Asa  noticed  only 
eighty  cents  returned  in  change  from  the  ten-dollar 
bill  Stacy  tendered  in  payment  (and  that  left  on  the 
plate  as  a  tip),  he  gasped  again. 

"  It's  jist  a-eatin*  money  to  eat  here,"  he  ejacu- 
lated, "  'n'  sorter  sinful,  too !  Nice  grub,  o'  course, 
best  ever  was,  but  sich  prices  is  highway  robbery !  " 
Then,  with  a  glance  around  at  the  bediamonded 
ladies  wearing  stunning  Merry  Widow  hats,  some 
sipping  cocktails,  and  waiters  in  full  dress,  he 
added,  "  These  folks  don't  git  their  livin'  ketchin' 
lobsters  at  fifteen  cents  a  pound,  'n'  sellin'  potatoes 
at  fifty  cents  a  bushel,  I  cal'late,  Stacy?  " 

When  the  finger  bowls  and  toothpicks  on  a  silver 
tray  were  brought,  he  glanced  up  at  the  waiter  quiz- 
zically. "  Say,  Mister  Slick,"  he  said  with  a 
twinkle  in  his  eyes,  "  yew'd  best  tell  the  boss  he's 
made  a  mistake  in  his  price  list  'n'  left  off  the  tooth- 
picks! 'Cordin'  to  the  rest,  they'd  sartinly  ought 
to  be  fifty  cents,  anyhow !  " 

He  added  the  crowning  touch  of  absurdity,  how- 
ever, when  Stacy  now  coolly  lit  a  cigar.  "  Say, 
Stacy,"  he  then  whispered  across  the  table,  "  they've 
ben  watchin'  me  curis  like  'round  here  I've  noticed, 


358  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

'n'  grinnin',  but  s'pose  I  pulled  out  my  old  corn- 
cob 'n'  lit  up  now?  Wouldn't  that  joggle  'em 
some? 

"  'N'  how'd  it  work,"  he  added  after  a  pause  and 
chuckling,  "  ef  I'd  brought  in  my  box  o'  snakes 
'n'  jist  let  'em  loose  here?  I'd  git  sent  to  jail,  I 
s'pose,  but  " —  snorting  with  suppressed  laughter  — 
"  it'ud  be  wuth  it  to  see  the  crowd  vamoose,  I 
swow!  They'd  start  livelier'n  the  nig  did  when 
the  snake  come  out  o'  the  shoe,  'n'  he  went  some ! " 

And  unable  to  control  himself  longer,  Uncle  Asa 
exploded  in  laughter. 

He  followed  Stacy  out  of  the  breakfast  room, 
still  chuckling,  and  not  until  their  own  suite  was 
reached,  did  he  speak  again. 

"  I  s'pose  I  am  out  o'  place  here,  'n'  a  mark  to  be 
laughed  at,"  he  then  said,  penitently,  "  'n'  mebbe 
ye're  'shamed  o'  me,  Mr.  Whipple,  but  —  wal,  them 
wimmen,  'n'  them  waiters  like  dudes,  'n'  them  prices 
set  me  agoin'!  'N'  how  folks  kin  go  in  thar  'n' 
stand  fer't,  I  can't  see!  Why,  it  jist  looks  like  they 
wanted  to  be  skinned,  it  do!  And  say,"  he  added, 
glancing  around  the  luxuriously  furnished  room 
they  were  in,  "  What  do  they  charge  for  lodgin' 
here,  Stacy  ?  " 

"  Why,  these  two  rooms  are  each  eight  dollars 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  359 

a  day,"  laughed  Stacy,  "but  you  needn't  mind. 
You  are  my  guest,  you  know." 

"  Gee  whittaker  crackee,"  exclaimed  Uncle  Asa, 
"but  this  is  wuss'n  that  breakfast,  Stacy!  'N* 
'tain't  right  to  burn  money  this  way,  either,  with 
folks  in  this  world  a-starvin',  too!  'Tain't  right,  I 
say!  Let's  git  out  'n'  find  some  cheaper  spot.  I 
thought  I  knew  suthin'  Txmt  city  life,"  he  added 
musingly,  after  a  pause,  "  but  I  don't  know  the  be- 
ginnin',  even!  'N'  whar  do  folks  here  git  their 
money,  I'd  like  to  know?  Do  they  print  it  them- 
selves?" 

"  Some  do,"  returned  Stacy  laconically,  "  or  what 
amounts  to  the  same  thing,  work  some  swindling 
game  on  the  unwary,  as  Curtis  North  has  been 
doing." 

"  'N'  this  is  the  way  my  four  thousand  went  I'd 
scraped  'n'  saved  fer  Hazel,"  asserted  Uncle  Asa, 
seeing  a  light  "Jist  blowed  by  that  whiskered 
hypocrite  who  said  he  come  to  Oakdale  to  do  the 
Lord's  work,  'n'  prayed  in  meetin',  ez  he  did!  fN* 
I  took  him  fishin',  too,"  he  added  musingly,  "'n* 
picked  out  the  best  holes,  V  sent  him  ahead  to  fish 
'em  'n'  made  Hazel  make  us  a  shortcake,  likewise! 
Also  a  biled-down  drivilin'  idjit  o*  myself  same 
time,  I  did!" 


360  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

And  just  then,  as  if  to  accentuate  Uncle  Asa's 
humiliation  and  recall  their  errand  here,  a  bell- 
boy's knock  came,  and  a  telegram,  reading, 
"  Stopped  off  at  Albany  to  get  requisition.  Shall 
arrive  at  two-thirty,  Harkins,"  was  handed  to  Stacy. 

"  We  have  four  hours  to  wait,  Uncle  Asa,"  Stacy 
now  asserted,  consulting  his  watch  and  pursing  his 
lips  while  he  gave  matters  a  mental  round-up. 
"  Harkins  will  need  an  assistant  officer  to  make  the 
arrest,  I'd  better  leave  you  here  in  safe-keeping, 
and  go  to  see  about  it,  or  have  one  ready  on  call. 
Harkins  must  decide  how  we  shall  proceed." 

And  just  now  the  stern  seriousness  and  vital 
importance  of  the  coming  climax  to  his  plans  oblit- 
erated all  else  in  Stacy's  mind. 

And  for  ample  reasons,  also. 

For  over  two  months  now,  he  had  been  conspiring 
to  bring  this  about,  and  not  only  mete  out  justice 
to  two  despicable  scoundrels,  but  rescue  Hazel's 
heritage  and  Bear  Hole  Swamp  as  part  of  the  com- 
plication. The  latter  purpose  was  the  more  im- 
portant one  to  Stacy,  and  just  how  it  would  work 
out  was  a  question.  He  had  the  necessary  cards 
to  play  this  restitution  game.  Justice,  that  blind 
goddess,  in  the  person  of  Harkins,  was  also  now 
speeding  citywards  at  about  o'ne  mile  a  minute  as 
Stacy  knew,  but  no  move  or  decision  how  to  move 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  361 

must  be  made  until  the  keen-witted  and  legally  well- 
informed  Rawhide  marshal  arrived. 

"  I'd  better  get  everything  ready,"  Stacy  next 
determined,  voicing  this  to  his  companion,  "  while 
you  remain  here  in  seclusion  and  read  the  papers." 

As  always  with  him,  to  decide  meant  to  act  at 
once,  and  with  a  "  You  stay  here ;  bye-bye,  Uncle 
Asa,"  he  left  the  room  and  in  five  minutes  up  came 
a  boy  with  all  the  morning  papers.  He  was  gone 
three  hours,  returned,  took  Uncle  Asa  down  to 
lunch,  and  at  just  three-ten  there  came  a  knock  on 
their  door,  and  Harkins  and  the  yellow-haired 
giant,  Tygson,  were  ushered  in. 

Introductions  came  next,  and  then  Stacy  disclosed 
his  plans. 

"  I've  got  my  write-up  all  ready,"  he  said,  now 
producing  it.  "Also  Uncle  Asa  here  as  a  witness 
to  convince  Curtis  North  that  we  know  him.  He 
is  now  booming  this  other  swindling  scheme  I  wrote 
you  about,  which  I  have  included  in  his  obituary, 
as  you  can  see;  and  now  what  is  your  plan,  Jim?  " 

"  Well,"  returned  that  officer,  smiling  as  he 
glanced  over  that  six-page  document,  "  it  seems 
probable  our  friend  will  weaken  at  sight  of  his  biog. 
with  photographs  attached  and  sign  any  old  thing 
to  get  possession  of  it  and  rid  of  you.  If  he  won't, 
then  it's  me  next,  and  arrest  for  murder.  I  must 


362  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

do  that,  anyway,  after  obtaining  the  legal  papers  I 
have,  that's  positive.  My  theory  and  measure  of 
the  man,"  he  added  after  a  pause,  "  is,  he  is  an 
arrant  coward,  a  poltroon  at  heart.  He  will  con- 
coct fake  schemes,  tell  plausible  lies,  steal  cards  in 
a  poker  game,  even  stab  a  man  in  the  back,  if  need 
be,  or  club  a  drunken  miner,  as  he  did,  but  when 
we  walk  in  on  him  and  demand  what  we  shall,  he 
will  squash  right  out,  go  into  his  boots  like  a  wet 
rag.  I  wouldn't  be  surprised  if  he  went  onto  his 
knees  and  bellowed  like  a  calf  for  mercy  when  I 
arrest  him,  as  I  must.  Have  you  the  deed  you  want 
signed  with  you  ?  " 

"  Sure,"  responded  Stacy,  now  drawing  it  forth; 
"  all  filled  out  properly  and  ready  for  signature  to 
make  it  legal."  Then  he  passed  it  to  Harkins. 

"  Know  ye  all  men  to  whom  these  presents  shall 
come,  greeting:  that  I,  Leon  Otero,  for  one  dollar 
and  other  considerations  to  me  in  hand  paid,  do 
hereby  deed,  grant,  assign  and  transfer  to  Miss 
Hazel  Webster,  her  heirs  and  assigns,  all  right,  title 
and  claim  " —  read  Harkins  after  glancing  the  deed 
over,  then  stopped  abruptly  and  looked  at  Stacy, 
then  at  Uncle  Asa. 

"Your  daughter,  Mr.  Webster,  I  infer?"  he 
queried,  smiling. 

"  'Tis,  sartin,"  Uncle  Asa  admitted,  flushing  and 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  363 

swallowing  a  lump,  "but  —  but" — with  grateful 
glance  at  Stacy  — "  it  kinder  took  me  by  s'prise. 
Yew'd  best  change  it,  Mr.  Whipple,"  he  added, 
choking  again,  and  extending  his  hand  to  Stacy. 
"  'Tain't  — 'tain't  right  to  give  it  to  her  arter  all 
ye've  done  fer  me.  Make  it  in  yer  own  name." 

"  Too  late,"  asserted  Stacy  briskly,  with  a  light 
laugh ;  "  besides  I  want  the  fun  of  buying  it  back 
from  Hazel,  as  I  must  later  —  if  we  get  this  deed 
signed  at  all !  " 

"  If  we  do,"  rejoined  Harkins,  smiling  again  at 
Stacy,  "  you  can  no  doubt  buy  it  of  her  for  one 
dollar  and  other  considerations  (I  hope),  or  maybe 
there  won't  be  any  need  of  it,  anyhow?  " 

And  then  all  four  of  these  men  smiled  broadly  at 
this  hint  of  a  happy  consummation. 

"  The  question  now,"  declared  Stacy  more  seri- 
ously, "  is  whether  we  go  to  the  lair  of  *  his 
whiskers'  this  afternoon,  or  wait  till  to-morrow? 
I  presume  you  will  have  to  go  back  as  soon  as  you 
make  the  arrest,  Jim?  " 

"  To  save  expense  and  legal  complications,  yes," 
returned  Harkins.  "  It's  a  high-handed  act,  how- 
ever, to  yank  even  such  a  scoundrel  out  of  his  busi- 
ness without  time  to  make  some  assignment  of  it. 
And  he  can't  obtain  bonds  after  my  arrest  for 
murder!  Then  I've  been  on  a  Pullman  five  days, 


364  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

and  you  know  what  that  means?  I  need  a  bath 
and  one  night's  sleep,  anyhow! 

"  We'd  best  keep  shady  or  if  we  go  out,  go  sepa- 
rately," he  added  after  a  moment's  thought.  "  If 
our  bird  was  to  spy  us  together  he'd  fly  the  coop  in 
two  hours ! " 

And  he  would  have  flown  in  less  time,  had  he  had 
even  a  hint  of  who  were  now  in  the  city  and  what 
their  mission  was. 

Matters  were  adjusted  in  a  secretive  manner, 
however,  for  Stacy  took  Uncle  Asa  to  one  theater 
that  evening,  Harkins  went  to  another,  while  the 
Swede,  by  the  latter's  advice,  remained  in  seclusion. 
The  three  chief  actors  in  the  coming  drama  met 
again  late  that  evening,  discussed  and  rehearsed 
their  separate  parts,  and  armed  and  equipped  as  the 
law  directs,  with  another  officer  to  assist  Harkins, 
started  at  ten  the  next  morning  for  the  Mills  Build- 
ing and  lair  of  Curtis  North. 

To  add  the  spice  of  fun  he  hoped  to  obtain,  Uncle 
Asa  also  carried  his  box  of  snakes. 


CHAPTER  XXX 

'HILE  coming  events  may  or  may  not  cast 
their  shadows  before,  it  is  an  indisput- 
able fact  that  crime  forecasts  its  own 
retribution.  Commit  one  felonious  act,  and  it  is 
as  if  the  whole  world  were  snow-covered  and  tracks 
left  behind  each  criminal!  The  greater  the  crime 
against  God  or  man,  the  deeper  seem  those  fatal 
footprints,  as  if  even  the  blind  might  pursue! 
With  conscience  once  stung  by  the  venom  of  crime, 
its  persistent  shadow  pursues  even  the  most  har- 
dened sinner.  It  looks  out  from  dark  alleys,  peers 
through  the  cracks  of  doors,  watches  with  sinister 
eye  from  around  corners,  taps  on  the  wainscot  in 
the  stilly  night,  pulses  through  the  air  in  uncanny 
whispers,  and  the  ominous  patter  of  its  avenging 
steps  seems  ever  in  pursuit.  A  winged  Nemesis  — 
black,  baleful,  vengeful,  merciless  —  that  can  and 
will  pursue  untiringly,  above,  below,  and  all  about; 
and  ever  in  wait  to  mete  out  inflexible  justice ! 

For  six  years  now,  or  since  that  fatal  night  when 
he  had  dealt  a  merciless  blow  to  a  drunken  miner, 
then  cut  loose  his  belt  of  gold  while  yet  dying, 

365 


366  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

Curtis  North  had  never  been  quite  free  from  this 
insidious,  carking  fear.  Not  pity  for  the  besotted 
man  he  had  slain,  only  a  vague,  never  absent  fear, 
that  sooner  or  later  some  retribution  might  overtake 
him.  He  was  vain,  pompous,  arrogant,  even  de- 
fiant with  his  attained  wealth,  scornful  of  all  laws, 
juries,  or  justice;  believed  himself  immune  to  any 
danger  from  them,  selfish  to  a  degree  that  was  dis- 
gusting, and  yet  beneath  all  this  armor  of  self- 
complacency  and  bumptious  conceit,  the  tiny  worm 
of  retributive  fear  gnawed  at  his  vitals. 

And  now,  since  Otero  had  brought  news  of  his 
discomfiture,  sure  that  Stacy  Whipple  was  its  cause, 
and  most  likely  had  also  conferred  with  the  Oak- 
dale  farmer,  once  swindled  by  him,  and  suspected 
his  identity  as  well,  Curtis  North  began  to  grow 
uneasy.  So  certain  did  he  become  after  three  days 
of  this  insidious  fear  that  an  avenger  was  on  his 
trail,  that  he  now  thought  it  best  as  a  matter  of 
precaution  to  begin  the  closing  up  of  his  business 
ventures,  secure  all  the  money  he  could  lay  his 
hands  upon,  and  be  ready  to  leave  for  some  foreign 
country  on  an  hour's  notice,  if  advisable.  To  this 
end,  and  without  notifying  Otero  of  his  plans  or 
fears,  he  withdrew  large  sums  in  bills  of  big  denom- 
ination from  the  two  banks  where  he  kept  deposits. 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  367 

secured  cashiers'  checks  for  most  of  both  balances 
left,  and  then  obtained  the  sailing  dates  of  all  out- 
going steamers  for  the  next  two  weeks,  and  the 
destination  of  each. 

And  then  so  shrewd  was  this  old  fox  that  he  — 
two  hours  after  Stacy  met  Uncle  Asa  with  his  box 
of  snakes  —  began  the  examination  of  all  the  prin- 
cipal hotel  registers  to  see  if  perchance  this  man, 
Whipple,  had  arrived  at  any  of  them.  And  so  close 
a  call  was  it,  or  by  the  fortuitous  straw  of  chance. 
that  he  was  halted  at  the  Waldorf  by  meeting  a  rich 
Cuban  planter  —  to  whom  he  had  been  trying  to  sell 
a  block  of  his  Passaic  bonds  —  and  postponed  call- 
ing at  the  Holland  House  until  next  day! 

To  land  this  big  plum  and  "  easy  mark  "  as  Curtis 
North  thought  him  now,  and  at  once,  and  so  secure 
about  ten  thousand  dollars  more,  seemed  more  im- 
perative than  a  further  pursuit  of  hotel  registers 
that  day.  To  this  pleasant  and  remunerative  task 
he  now  applied  himself  diligently,  wined  and  dined 
his  victim  that  evening,  took  him  to  a  theater,  and 
after  so  much  preliminary  work,  made  a  positive 
date  to  meet  him  at  his  office  at  ten-thirty,  sharp, 
the  next  day. 

And  at  nine- forty-five  exactly  of  that  same  day, 
Stacy,  Uncle  Asa,  Harkins,  Tygson,  and  the  assist- 


368  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

ant  officer  entered  the  Mills  Building,  stepped  into 
an  express  elevator  and  were  shot  up  to  Floor 
Twenty-two  in  a  jiffy! 

"  You  stay  outside,"  Harkins  said  to  his  assistant 
as  they  advanced  to  room  210,  "  and  when  I  whistle, 
you  come  in  quick." 

Then  Stacy  —  a  trifle  nervous,  perhaps  —  opened 
the  door  and  led  the  way  into  the  lair  of  Curtis 
North. 

As  he  half  expected,  he  now  found  himself  in  an 
outer  office  with  bookkeeper  and  stenographer  only, 
at  work. 

"  We  wish  to  see  Mr.  Curtis,"  he  said  to  the 
former,  who  glanced  curiously  at  the  party. 

"  Name,  please  ?  "  came  the  response  in  civil  tone. 

"  You  can  say  we  called  to  see  about  investing  in 
some  bonds,"  replied  Stacy,  nonchalantly. 

In  a  moment  more  a  door  was  opened  from 
within  the  inner  office  and  a  "  This  way,  please," 
gave  the  needed  permission. 

And  just  then  Stacy's  heart  gave  a  sudden  leap 
of  keen  anxiety  and  suspense. 

The  crucial  moment  had  come. 

He  had  wondered  many  times  how  this  arch- 
swindler  would  meet  Harkins  and  himself — • 
whether  defiantly,  cravenly,  or  with  virtuous  indig- 
nation. He  felt  almost  sure,  however,  from  his 


•fl 


TlIE   KEEN    EYES   OF   THE   TRAPPED    SWINDLER   TURNED    FUR- 
TIVELY  FROM   ONE   TO    ANOTHER   OF   THE    FOUR 

INTRUDERS. — Page  369. 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  369 

measure  of  the  man,  that  he  would  take  his  medi- 
cine with  the  sang-froid  and  bravado  of  a  polished 
scoundrel  and  dead-game  sport  combined,  and  with- 
out a  protest. 

And  Stacy  was  right,  for  as  the  party  filed  in, 
Stacy  leading,  Curtis  looked  up  from  his  desk,  gave 
one  quick  glance  at  the  four  faces,  the  flush  van- 
ished from  his  own,  and  he  faced  around  and  stared 
at  his  enemies  defiantly. 

"  Good  morning,  Mr.  North,"  was  Stacy's  off- 
hand greeting;  "this  is  my  friend  Mr.  Harkins 
from  Rawhide,  Mr.  Tygson  also,  and  Mr.  Asa  Web- 
ster from  Oakdale,"  he  added,  thus  introducing 
them.  "  I  met  you  in  Barre  last  summer." 

For  one  instant  the  keen  eyes  of  the  trapped 
swindler  turned  furtively  from  one  to  another  of 
the  four  intruders,  a  quick  biting  of  lips  came  next, 
he  glanced  around  to  where  Otero  sat,  then  back  to 
the  waiting,  watching  men. 

"  Well,  gentlemen,"  he  said  almost  defiantly,  yet 
with  a  tremor  in  his  tone,  "  what  can  I  do  for 
you?" 

"  Oh,  not  much,"  returned  Stacy  nonchalantly 
again  and  drawing  his  deed  from  his  inside  coat 
pocket ;  "  just  your  friend  Otero's  signature  on  this 
paper  and  yours  as  witness. 

"  For  one  dollar  and  other  considerations,"  he 


370  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

added,  producing  the  bill  and  handing  both  to  the 
watching  man. 

He  took  it,  let  the  bill  drop  to  the  floor,  opened 
and  glanced  over  the  deed,  and  wheeled  around  to 
Otero. 

"  Here,  Leon,  sign  this,"  he  then  directed,  affixed 
his  own  signature  —  Pentecost  Curtis  —  in  trem- 
bling hand,  and  passed  the  document  back  to  Stacy. 

"  Anything  else  you  want,  sir  ?  "  he  next  queried 
with  more  bravado. 

"  My  friend,  Tygson,  has  a  loan  he  wants  paid 
back,"  responded  Stacy  incisively ;  "  how  much  is 
it,  Mr.  Tygson?" 

"  I  vants  tirty  tousand  dollar,  und  in  money," 
almost  snarled  the  Swede.  "  Und  I  vants  it  now !  " 

"  The  loan's  been  running  'bout  six  years  you 
see,  Mr.  North,"  explained  Harkins,  speaking  for 
the  first  time,  "  and  he's  added  interest." 

"  But  this  is  —  is  robbery,"  gasped  the  trapped 
man,  "  and  I  —  I  — "  catching  at  a  straw,  "  haven't 
so  much  here." 

"  You  can  send  your  pal  to  the  bank  after  it," 
rejoined  Harkins  resolutely  now.  "  I've  an  officer 
waiting  outside  to  keep  him  company." 

No  protest  came  to  this,  however,  and  hesitating 
a  moment  only,  Curtis  North  turned,  swung  a  safe 
door  open,  unlocked  an  inner  till,  fumbled  over  a 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  371 

plethoric  pocketbook,  then  handed  a  small  sheaf  of 
bills  of  large  denomination  to  Tygson. 

"  Anything  else  ?  "  he  next  queried  with  admi- 
rable sang-froid  and  sarcasm  combined ;  "  any  more 
loans  you  gentlemen  want  paid  back  ?  " 

And  then  Harkins,  who  despite  his  official  anxiety 
to  arrest  this  cool  villain  was  compelled  to  admire 
his  nerve  and  audacity,  spoke  again. 

"  You  take  your  medicine  like  an  old  sport,  Mr. 
Curtis  North,  alias  Pentecost  Curtis,"  he  said 
sternly.  "  But  I  must  now  and  in  the  name  of  the 
law  and  State  of  Nevada,  arrest  you  for  the  murder 
of  one  Yonn  Johnson !  Also  you,  Mr.  Leon  Otero," 
he  continued,  turning  to  him,  then  drew  forth  his 
warrants. 

"  Shall  I  read  these  writs  to  you  ?  "  he  queried. 

And  then  the  sublime  self-possession  and  nerve 
of  this  swindler  gave  way  and  he  collapsed. 

"My  God!"  he  stammered,  "  th  —  this  is  all 
wrong!  I  —  I  never  killed  that  man!  He  fell  and 
broke  his  own  skull!  I  —  I  —  you  can't  prove  it," 
then  choked  and  shook  with  abject  fear. 

And  then  to  end  this  painful  scene,  Harkins  blew 
a  shrill,  short  blast  on  a  small  whistle,  his  assistant 
entered  speedily,  and  him  he  next  addressed. 

"  These  men  are  my  prisoners,"  he  said ;  "  we  will 
be  decent  to  them  and  wait  till  they  send  for  and 


372  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

appoint  some  trustee  of  their  business.  We  will 
then  start  west  with  them  this  afternoon." 

"  You  understand,  Mr.  North,"  he  added  more 
sternly  now  and  addressing  him,  "  you  can  have 
one  hour  to  fix  up  your  business  matters  in  this 
office  and  then  we  start,  at  one  o'clock  I  think." 

"  What  shall  I  do  now,  Brother  Harkins,"  Stacy 
now  asked ;  "  anything  for  you  ?  " 

"  There  is  my  satchel  to  get  and  my  hotel  bill  to 
be  paid,  Mr.  Whipple,"  responded  Harkins  briskly; 
"  also  have  a  carriage  here  at  twelve,  sharp."  And 
glad  to  escape  so  unpleasant  a  situation,  Stacy  and 
Uncle  Asa  left  the  office  while  Tygson  remained. 

He,  poor  fellow,  scared  half  out  of  his  wits,  as 
he  had  been  all  along  and  with  a  small  fortune  now 
thrust  inside  his  shirt,  was  sure  to  stick  to  his 
savior,  Harkins,  until  the  security  of  his  own  haunts 
was  reached.  Neither  did  Uncle  Asa  utter  one  of 
his  intended  sarcasms,  for  the  sight  of  even  this 
swindler  who  had  robbed  him  now  cringing  in 
abject  cowardice,  and  white  as  his  whiskers,  nul- 
lified that  intention  entirely. 

"  I'm  kinder  sorry  fer  the  critter,  arter  all,"  he 
said  to  Stacy,  when  out  of  the  office  and  still  holding 
fast  to  his  box  of  snakes.  "  But,  by  gosh,  wa'n't 
he  scart !  I  cal'lated  he'd  make  the  weasel  sign  the 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  373 

deed,  figgerin'  that  war  all  ye  wanted,  but  gin  up 
thirty  thousand  dollars  'thout  a  whimper !  Jerusha, 
but  that  was  bein'  skeered  some!  'Nf  when  Mr. 
Harkins  peeped,  I  could  hear  his  teeth  rattle!  I 
s'pose  he'll  hev  to  swing,  won't  he  ? "  he  added 
after  a  pause.  "  But  —  wal,  I  hope  they'll  jug  him 
fer  life  'stead  o'  that.  His  wiltin'  so  kinder  teched 
me." 

"  He  gave  up  much  easier  than  I  expected,"  re- 
joined Stacy,  "  and  my  write-up  was  all  wasted. 
Harkins  may  use  it,  however,  in  court." 

But  this  bumptious  knave  and  arrant  coward 
combined,  as  might  be  expected,  tried  the  only  hope 
he  had  now  for  escape,  and  within  ten  minutes  after 
being  left  alone  with  the  officers. 

"  I  am  not  guilty  of  the  murder  charged,  Mr. 
Harkins,"  he  said,  recovering  his  bravado  some- 
what, "  and  you  can't  prove  I  am.  We  were  at 
that  woman's  cabin,  my  friend,  Otero,  and  I,  I  ad- 
mit, but  all  I  know  about  the  death  of  that  miner 
was  his  falling  from  the  loft  above.  He  was  up 
there,  and  drunk.  We  left  town  that  night  so  as 
not  to  be  mixed  up  in  a  scandal. 

"  This  arrest  is  an  outrage,  and  will  ruin  my 
business,"  he  added,  turning  to  his  safe  again  and 
taking  out  a  fat  pocketbook,  "  but  you  must  do  your 


374  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

duty.  And  now  " —  beginning  to  count  out  bills  — 
"  I'll  give  each  of  you  fifty  thousand  apiece  to  for- 
get you  found  me.  Is  it  a  go  ?  " 

For  one  long  moment  Harkins'  eyes,  hard  and 
scornful,  were  fixed  on  those  of  his  prisoner,  then 
he  answered : 

"  You  lie  quite  fluently,  Curtis  North,"  he  said 
with  incisive  sneer.  "  You  cringe  like  the  mean 
coward  you  are.  But  a  million  of  your  stolen  dol- 
lars won't  tempt  me  to  deprive  the  boys  in  Rawhide 
of  what  they  are  anticipating  on  your  arrival !  " 

And  then  Curtis  North  collapsed  again,  as  Har- 
kins meant  he  should. 

At  just  twelve,  Stacy  once  more  walked  into  the 
office  of  Curtis  and  Company  to  find  Harkins  smok- 
ing grimly  and  watching  his  two  prisoners,  while 
the  leading  one  was  instructing  another  broker  how 
to  continue  and  look  after  his  business. 

"  Come,  gentlemen,  time's  up,  put  these  on," 
Harkins  next  commanded  in  brusque  tone,  produc- 
ing a  pair  of  handcuffs,  and  then  at  this  final 
humiliation  the  last  vestige  of  Curtis  North's 
bravado  vanished. 

"  There  is  no  need  of  this  indignity,"  he  moaned, 
"  and  it's  an  outrage !  I  shall  go  along  without 
trouble." 

"  I  intend  you  will  go  along,  anyhow,"  asserted 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  375 

Harkins,  curtly.  "  Come,  right  face !  "  And  awed 
by  this  imperious  marshal,  the  two  cringing  men 
submitted,  and  a  quite  suggestive  procession  of 
seven  men  entered  the  next  downward-bound 
elevator.  A  crowd  flocked  about  the  Mills  Building 
entrance  awaiting  them,  for  the  news  of  this  arrest 
had  spread  like  wildfire,  and  shouts  of  "  Here  they 
come !  "  "  How  much  am  I  bid  for  P.  R.  D.  stock?  " 
with  rapid  offers  down  in  its  price,  greeted  their  ap- 
pearance. Some  were  facetious  bids,  of  course, 
most,  real  enough,  for  a  good  deal  of  this  now 
worthless  stock  had  been  foisted  upon  "  the  street," 
and  this  was  a  last  "  devil-take-the-hindermost " 
scramble  to  get  rid  of  it.  Thejbidding  ceased  when 
one  wag  shouted,  "  A  thousand  P.  R.  D.  for  one 
cent  a  share,"  and  another,  "  Send  me  your  picture 
before  they  shave  your  whiskers,"  and  thus  insulted 
and  jeered  at  by  this  band  of  scoffers  who  respect 
nothing  under  the  sun,  the  two  trembling  prisoners 
were  pushed  and  crowded  into  the  waiting  carriage. 

"  Here's  my  write-up  of  your  two  birds,  Jim," 
Stacy  said  to  him,  now  about  to  enter  this  convey- 
ance. "  Also  the  fob  and  picture  you  may  need. 
If  I  am  wanted  at  the  trial  I'll  come  on,  good-bye." 

And  so  ended  the  career  of  these  two  arch-con- 
spirators in  Wall  Street  —  forgotten  inside  of  a 
week.  They  left  in  state,  however,  for  Curtis 


376  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

North,  forewarned  as  he  had  been  by  his  own  in- 
tuitions, carried  with  him  over  a  quarter-million  dol- 
lars in  large  bills  and  certified  checks.  He  had  also 
telephoned  to  engage  an  unscrupulous  lawyer  to  go 
on  to  Rawhide  with  him  and  lead  the  legal  fight  he 
meant  to  make  to  save  his  neck.  What  happened 
there  later,  on  his  arrival,  how  "  the  b'ys," 
led  by  McCue,  met  him  and  received  him,  "  in 
due  and  ancient  "  mining-camp  manner,  and  its  out- 
come, must  be  told  later. 

For  the  present,  however,  Stacy's  plans  and  castle 
building,  the  city  in  his  mind,  his  interest  in  Hazel 
and  its  up-hill  course,  are  of  more  pertinent  in- 
terest. It  must  be  said,  however,  that  this  Colonel 
Sellers  sort  of  fellow  with  his  precious  deed  and 
key  to  unlock  all  his  plans  and  harness  the  giant  that 
was  to  build  his  city,  now  felt  in  a  mood  for  joyous 
shouting.  And  Uncle  Asa  more  so. 

"  What'll  I  do  with  my  snakes  ?  "  that  cheerful 
humorist  queried  of  Stacy  when  they  arrived  at 
the  depot  to  take  the  night  train  out  of  the  city. 
"  I  didn't  jist  feel  like  givin'  'em  to  the  weasel, 
he  'peared  to  hev  'bout  troubles  'nuff.  But  some- 
body here  ought  to  git  'em,  I  cal'late?  " 

Then  Stacy  glanced  across  the  street  to  a  bril- 
liantly-lighted saloon,  and  an  inspiration  came. 

"  Go  over  to  that  gin  palace,"  he  responded,  in- 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  377 

dicating  it,  "  and  tell  the  head  barkeeper  that  Curtis 
and  Company,  of  Wall  Street,  sent  the  bag.  Then 
skip  out  quick."  And  Uncle  Asa  did  so. 

He  could  only  guess  what  the  high-salaried 
artist  in  liquids  said  when  he  examined  his  present, 
but  he  laughed  to  himself  for  two  hours  about  it, 
and  Stacy  kept  him  company. 


CHAPTER  XXXI 

STACY  was  still  in  a  hilarious  mood  the  next 
morning  when,  after  parting  from  Uncle  Asa 
at  the  station,  he  reached  his  own  office  and 
found  Colby,  as  usual,  busy  at  his  desk. 

His  first  utterance  upon  entering  was  a  shout  of 
"  Rah,  rah,  whoop,  hip,  hurrah,  Bert !  I've  won 
out,  hands  down,  and  got  the  deed ! " 

"  And  a  '  bun,'  also,  I  should  judge,"  returned 
Colby,  facing  around  with  a  sarcastic  grin.  "  Let's 
see  your  deed."  And  Stacy  produced  it. 

"  To  Miss  Hazel  Webster,  her  heirs  and  assigns, 
to  have  and  to  hold,  etc.,  etc.,"  Colby  added  now, 
reading  from  the  document,  then  paused  and  re- 
garded his  partner  with  a  broad  grin. 

"Little  previous,  wasn't  it?"  he  drawled.  "Or 
is  this  the  winning  maid's  marriage  settlement?  If 
so,  where  do  we  come  in  on  the  power  site?  " 

"  Oh,  I  shall  have  it  deeded  back,  of  course," 
returned  Stacy,  briskly;  "that's  all  right!  No 
trouble  about  that !  " 

"  In  the  family,  eh  ?  "  queried  Colby  again  with 

378 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  379 

quizzical  smile.  "  And  when  does  the  wedding 
come  off? 

"  But  what's  the  use  of  questioning  a  man  in 
love?'"  he  continued  ironically,  without  waiting  an 
answer.  "  They  can't  even  see  a  joke  when  it's  lit 
up.  Going  to  start  for  Oakdale  this  noon,  are  you  ? 
Want  another  check  for  five  hundred,  eh?  Go 
ahead  and  have  your  pipe  dream,  my  dear  boy ! 
We  don't  need  business,  and  Barre  can  wait. 
When  you  get  sane  again,  we  will  go  ahead  on 
the  contract." 

"  I  shall  start  for  Oakdale  to-morrow,"  returned 
Stacy  seriously,  for  he  was  used  to  his  partner's 
badinage,  "  and  I  want  the  two  surveyors  to  go 
with  me.  I  think,  also,  you'd  better  engage  about 
fifty  men,  ready  to  come  on  when  I  say  and  begin 
work  on  the  dam  foundation.  I  presume  I  can  get 
woodchoppers  in  Oakdale  or  Barre  as  soon  as  the 
swamp  freezes  up  so  they  can  work.  My  plan 
is  to  go  ahead  on  the  dam  as  fast  as  possible,  cut 
and  haul  all  available  timber  this  winter,  have  a 
portable  sawmill  set  up,  and  before  green  grass 
comes  again  I  will  have  the  foundation  for  the 
power  house  all  laid.  I  think  we'd  better  use  wood 
for  it,  it's  too  far  to  haul  brick  from  the  railroad." 
And  so  the  business  needs  of  his  plans  now  super- 


380  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

seded  all  else  in  his  mind  —  except  Hazel,  and 
she  only  to  be  considered  as  a  side  issue  when  even- 
ing came.  To  win  her  he  meant,  and  he  believed 
that  he  could  do  so ;  to  go  ahead  now  on  his  air  cas- 
tle and  build  his  new  city  came  first,  however;  and 
all  the  conspiring  plans,  land  purchases,  factory  sites, 
the  laying  out  of  streets,  the  enlargement  of  a  pos- 
sible harbor,  must  needs  be  attended  to  at  the  same 
time.  Pride,  also,  now  came  in  as  an  incentive. 
He  had  suggested  what  he  meant  to  do  in  Oakdale, 
knew  that  hamlet  was  all  agog  over  his  proposi- 
tion, and  that  every  man,  woman,  and  child  was 
soon  to  be  discussing  it  and  himself.  And  by 
nature  a  leader  among  men,  he  now  meant  to  suc- 
ceed and  win  public  approval ;  also  Hazel's. 

He  spent  almost  that  entire  day  in  discussing 
plans  with  Colby,  made  suitable  provision  for  capital 
to  be  used  in  land  purchase,  had  partnership  papers 
drawn  for  Sam  Gates  and  Uncle  Asa  to  sign  with 
himself,  packed  two  trunks  full  of  fall  and  winter 
clothing,  for,  as  he  assured  his  aunt  at  parting, 
he  was  to  make  his  home  in  Oakdale  for  the  next 
year,  and  then,  with  all  plans  perfected,  he  and  the 
two  surveyors  left  Albion  at  noon  the  next  day. 

He  was  quite  happy,  too,  more  so  than  ever  be- 
fore in  his  life,  for  now  he  was  in  a  fair  way 
to  realize  one  of  his  air-castle  dreams,  to  start  an 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  381 

embryo  city  where  Nature  had  made  possible  a 
thriving  one,  with  all  the  charm  of  wooded  hills 
enclosing  it,  and  the  near-by  ocean  to  add  natural 
beauty  and  romance. 

The  money  side  of  this  dream  was  also  a  factor, 
though  less  so  with  him  than  success,  and  the  satis- 
factory culmination  of  his  plans.  He  meant  to  at- 
tain both,  however. 

There  was  something  else,  also,  that  came  as  a 
premonition,  when  he,  just  at  sunset,  once  more 
rounded  the  hillside  where  he  could  look  down  into 
the  valley  at  the  apex  of  which  lay  Oakdale,  and 
that  —  that  here  among  these  simple,  frugal,  honest 
people  was  likely  to  be  his  future  home. 

"  For  a  time  at  least,"  he  thought,  glancing  across 
to  a  scarlet  blaze  of  foliage  amidst  which  he  knew 
stood  the  home  of  Hazel,  then  beyond  to  the  border- 
ing ocean.  "  It  may  be  rather  quiet  here  when 
winter  comes,  or  until  the  trout  brooks  are  un- 
locked, and  the  time  comes  to  go  shoring  with  Uncle 
Asa,"  he  continued  in  thought,  "  still  she  will  keep 
me  from  being  very  lonesome,  I  guess." 

Who  "  she  "  was,  can  easily  be  inferred. 

Sam,  as  might  be  expected,  received  him  with 
enthusiasm. 

"  Uncle  Asa  said  you  might  fetch  in  to-night,'r 
that  Boniface  asserted,  while  shaking  Stacy's  hand 


382  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

cordially,  "  'n'  I've  got  things  waitin'  to  gin  ye  a 
good  supper.  I'll  show  ye  all  up  to  rooms,"  he 
added,  seizing  Stacy's  suit-case  and  leading  the 
way,  "  'n'  arter  supper  we  kin  talk  over  matters.  I 
|s'pose  ye're  goin'  to  stay  here  now  quite  a  spell?" 

That  Sam  had  "  got  things  waitin'  "  was  evinced 
in  the  dining-room,  for  the  heretofore  untidy 
1  Norah  was  attractive  in  clean  white  pinafore  apron 
and  cap,  an  immaculate  table  cloth  and  fan-folded 
napkins  added  attraction  to  the  table,  upon  which 
was  a  vase  of  flowers,  all  adding  zest  to  the  broiled 
chicken  and  cold  boiled  lobster  now.  served. 

"  I  s'pose  we'd  best  git  arter  this  land  bizness 
soon  ez  possible,"  Sam  assured  Stacy  in  an  aside 
immediately  after  he  emerged  from  the  dining- 
room.  "  It's  kinder  whispered  'round  here  what 
yewr  plans  are  'bout  the  B'ar  Hole  site,  'n' —  wal, 
you  understand." 

"  I  do,"  smiled  Stacy,  unconscious  that  his  pact 
with  Squire  Phinney  had  been  betrayed  and  the 
prospective  deeding  of  that  property  to  Hazel  was 
known  to  all  Oakdale.  "  We  will  get  busy  to-mor- 
row, Sam,  and  begin  buying  land  where  it's  ad- 
visable, or  obtaining  options  on  it."  Then  he 
donned  his  fall  overcoat,  lit  a  cigar,  and  started 
for  Uncle  Asa's  at  once. 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  383 

"  He's  tendin'  right  out  on  Hazel,"  growled  Sam 
to  himself,  going  out  to  bring  wood  for  the  office 
fire,  "  'n'  bizness  kin  wait.  That's  allus  the  way 
with  a  feller  stuck  on  a  gal.  Wai,  it's  a  cinch  fer 
her,  'n'  I'm  glad  on't." 

Then  he  returned,  added  fuel  to  the  fire,  drew 
chairs  up  for  the  two  surveyors,  proffered  them 
some  "  two-for-five  "  cigars,  and  proceeded  in  his 
adroit  way  to  obtain  all  they  could  disclose  of  their 
mission. 

In  the  meantime,  and  in  spite  of  the  pique  re- 
sulting from  his  last  meeting  with  Hazel,  Stacy  was 
striding  on  towards  her  home  with  anticipations  of 
a  pleasant  evening.  And  soon  hastening  up  the 
now  leaf-carpeted  lane,  he  once  more  heard  her 
piano  and  voice  now  joined,  and  through  the  cur- 
tained window  saw  her  seated  at  it,  and  near  by  in 
rapt  attention,  Mr.  Arthur  Penrose! 

For  one  instant  Stacy  felt  like  gnashing  his  teeth 
and  swearing,  the  next  a  glum  of  sulkiness  (his  one 
most  objectionable  foible)  took  possession  of  him. 

"  She  knew,  or  must  have  known  I  was  com- 
ing to-night,"  he  muttered  to  himself,  "  for  I  told 
Uncle  Asa  I  was,  and  now  has  that  cigarette  puppy 
for  a  caller!  Well,  so  be  it,  Miss  Hazel  Iceberg! 
I'll  stay  away  until  you  invite  me  to  call." 


384  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

And  so  wrathful  was  he  at  what  he  felt  to  be 
ill  usage,  that  he  came  near  wheeling  about  and  re- 
turning to  the  hotel. 

A  second  and  better  impulse  came  the  next  mo- 
ment, and  that  was  to  ignore  Hazel  and  her  visitor, 
go  on  to  the  kitchen  and  make  a  business  call  on 
Uncle  Asa.  A  knock  on  the  door  of  that  brought 
the  ancient  spinster,  Aunt  Sally,  and  he  found  Uncle 
Asa  enjoying  his  corncob  pipe  beside  the  open  fire. 

"  Wai,  I'm  glad  to  see  ye,  right  glad,  Mr. 
Whipple,"  was  Uncle  Asa's  greeting,  as  he  drew 
an  armchair  up  for  Stacy,  while  Aunt  Sally  dis- 
creetly withdrew.  "  I  cal'lated  you'd  come  to- 
night. Hazel  hez  a  caller,  but  you  'n'  I  kin  visit 
jist  the  same.  He  won't  stay  long,  mebbe." 

"  I  got  here  to-night,  and  came  down  right  after 
supper  mainly  to  have  a  business  talk  with  you," 
rejoined  Stacy,  "  so  it's  just  as  well.  Business  first 
with  us,  Uncle  Asa.  And  now,"  he  continued  after 
lighting  a  cigar,  "  let's  get  at  it.  In  the  first  place, 
and  rather  thoughtlessly  on  my  part,  before  we 
went  to  New  York,  I  had  a  deed  ready  for  this 
Otero  to  sign  and,  as  you  saw,  made  out  in  your 
daughter's  name.  What  I  should  have  done  was  to 
have  it  in  yours,  but  I  was  rather  excited  that 
morning  and  used  hers,  thinking  it  might  be  ad- 
visable for  several  reasons.  Now  I  have  the  deed, 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  385 

we  or  my  firm  must  own  that  property,  and  what 
you  and  I  must  adjust  is  a  fair  price  for  us  to 
pay  you  for  it,  then  have  Hazel  deed  it  over  to 
us,  and  we  pay  her  the  price,  or  you  take  it  as 
you  think  best.  It  may  be  wiser,"  he  added  after 
a  pause,  "  for  the  deed  to  be  from  her  to  you, 
then  you  to  us  to  save  comment  here.  I  made 
Squire  Phinney  swear  to  secrecy  in  this  matter, 
however,  and  I  presume  he  has  kept  his  word." 

And  just  then  Uncle  Asa,  so  honest  was  he,  came 
near  blurting  out  the  fact  that  this  peculiar  trans- 
action was  already  known  to  all  the  village. 

"  Wai,  mebbe  it's  best  to  hev  the  deed  to  me 
fust,  'n'  made  back  to  your  firm,"  he  responded 
after  a  pause.  "  It'll  sorter  look  better,  'n'  mebbe 
t'other  way  might  make  talk. 

"  Ez  for  the  price  " —  smiling  now  — "  thar  won't 
be  no  price  on  it.  You  got  me  double  what  'twas 
wuth  out  o'  that  swindler,  'n'  the  swamp's  yewrn 
anyhow,  now." 

"  But  I  can't  accept  it  that  way,  and  won't,"  re- 
turned Stacy  firmly.  "  What  I  did  in  the  matter 
was  for  two  reasons:  to  get  you  your  money  out 
of  the  mine  swindle,  and  pay  Curtis  North  for  try- 
ing to  rob  us,  as  he  and  Otero  planned.  The  site 
is  worth  a  fair  price  to  us,  and  I  shall  insist  on  pay- 
ing you  for  it." 


386  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

"  'N'  ye  can't,  'n'  I  won't  take  a  dern  cent,"  re- 
sponded Uncle  Asa  as  firmly,  and  smiling,  "  so  thar 
ye  be." 

For  a  long  five  minutes  Stacy  mused  upon  this 
unique  situation  fully  conscious  that  Uncle  Asa 
meant  what  he  said.  Also  that  he  himself  was 
equally  firm  in  not  being  willing  to  accept  this 
valuable  piece  of  property  without  due  payment. 

"  I  feel  just  as  I  said,  Uncle  Asa,"  he  asserted  at 
last,  "  and  so  will  my  partner.  We  must  have  that 
site,  and  we  won't  accept  it  as  a  gift  from  you,  so 
what's  to  be  done  ?  " 

"  Derned  if  I  know,"  rejoined  Uncle  Asa  chuck- 
ling. "  I'm  jist  ez  anxious  ez  yew  be  to  hev  ye  go 
ahead  'n'  build  yer  dam;  but  I  won't  do  a  mean 
thing,  Jn'  takin'  pay  fer  what  I've  got  double  its 
wuth  fer  a'ready  'ud  make  me  feel  I  wus !  " 

"  But  we  must  fix  it  somehow,  you  and  I." 

"  Yes,  we  must,  I'll  'low,  'n'  now  yew  crack  the 
nut,  ye  know  my  feelin's !  " 

For  another  long  moment  Stacy  gave  thought  to 
this  unusual  and  complex  situation.  He  also  felt 
that  he  personally  would  like  Hazel  to  have  five 
thousand  dollars  more  —  what  he  considered  fail- 
valuation  for  this  swamp  —  to  add  to  her  bank  ac- 
count. 

"  I  see  but  one  way  out  of  it,"  he  declared  finally, 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  387 

"  or  rather  two  ways.  First,  that  we  go  to  Albion 
and  I  will  pick  three  business  men  who  don't  know 
us,  state  the  situation  and  our  positions,  and  abide 
by  their  decision;  or  I  will  give  you  five  thousand 
dollars  to  deposit  in  a  Barre  bank  in  Hazel's  name, 
and  if  within  one  year  she  is  not  my  promised  wife 
you  are  to  then  give  her  the  bank  book.  In  the 
meantime,  you  must  promise  me  on  your  honor,  not 
to  betray  this  agreement  to  her.  On  these  condi- 
tions I'll  accept  the  deed  and  go  ahead  with  my 
plans." 

"Wai,  that  way  out  on't  is  sorter  like  a  jug  — 
handle  all  on  one  side,"  chuckled  Uncle  Asa ;  "  she 
gits  the  money  anyhow,  fur's  I  kin  see  ?  " 

"  And  I  get  her  or  lose  the  money,"  returned 
Stacy  promptly.  "  So  it's  a  fair  bargain,  or  up  to 
me  to  win  her,  isn't  it?  Come,  Uncle  Asa,  let's 
call  it  a  go.  I  want  her  if  I  can  get  her,  even  for 
a  thousand  times  that  sum !  " 

"  Wai,  I'll  call  it  a  go,"'  responded  Uncle  Asa 
smiling  and  offering  his  hand,  "  'n' —  wal,  ye  know 
how  I  feel  in  the  matter."  Then  he  bent  forward, 
picked  a  coal  out  of  the  fire  with  the  tongs,  lit  his 
pipe,  and  puffed  away  contentedly,  as  if  he  once 
more  heard  larks  singing  in  the  sky.  From  his 
viewpoint,  there  were  no  more  clouds  in  it. 

And  then,  while  Stacy  mused  upon  the  complica- 


388  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

tion  and  wondered  how  the  elusive  Hazel  would 
act  and  feel  when  informed  that  he  had  had  this 
deed  drawn  in  her  name  and  she  was  actually  the 
owner  of  this  now  valuable  swamp,  Uncle  Asa  be- 
gan laughing;  first,  a  low  ripple,  then  louder,  until 
it  swelled  into  a  "  ha-ha-ha "  that  shook  him. 
"  Say,  Stacy,"  he  ejaculated,  curbing  it  a  little, 
"  I've  cut  up  some  didoes  in  my  time,  but  never 
one  I  laughed  at  arterwards  like  the  minute  I  saw 
that  nig  turn  a  flip-flop  ez  that  snake  slid  out  o' 
the  shoe!  'N'  say,"  he  continued  after  another 
burst  of  laughter,  "  do  ye  know  I'd  gin  a  fiver  to  'a' 
seen  that  barkeep  open  the  present  he  got  from 
Curtis  'n'  Company!  I  would  right  now!  I  only 
wisht  the  snakes'd  ben  loose  in  the  telescope  so 
they'd  'a'  slid  out.  Wouldn't  that  'a'  joggled  him 
some  ?  " 

"Rather,"  returned  Stacy,  now  laughing;  "he'd 
certainly  have  thought  he  had  'em  himself! 

"  And  now,"  he  continued,  after  quieting  down 
and  consulting  his  watch,  "  there  are  a  few  busi- 
ness matters  I'd  like  you  to  attend  to.  First,  I  want 
you  to  see  Squire  Phinney  in  the  morning  and  have 
this  deed  recorded  and  one  made  out  to  yourself, 
then  copy  of  same  to  Bemis,  Colby  and  Company, 
and  all  recorded  in  proper  order.  Then  meet  me 
at  the  hotel  at  noon  for  dinner,  and  you  and  Sam 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  389 

sign  our  partnership  papers ;  also  discuss  what  land 
we  had  better  buy  or  obtain  options  on  at  once. 
My  idea  is  that  we  want  all  below  your  farm  and 
perhaps  an  eighth  of  a  mile  back  from  the  creek 
bottom  lands  down  to  its  mouth,  and  a  section 
across  where  your  table  is  and  where  we  camped. 
That  is  worthless  sand  now.  When  that  harbor 
is  made  available  for  coasters  it  will  be  worth 
thousands.  This  land  below  us,  now  covered  with 
scrub,  and  sandy,  is  not  of  much  value,  either,  at 
present.  But  it's  along  this  side  and  towards  the 
ocean  that  shops  and  tenement  houses  will  first  be 
built."  And  then  on  wings  again,  he  launched  into 
more  explicit  descriptions  of  his  plans  and  present 
intentions. 

"  I  want  you  and  Sam  to  manage  this  investment 
matter,"  he  declared  as  a  finale,  "  and  consult  with 
me  when  needed.  I've  got  two  surveyors  here  now. 
In  a  few  days,  or  as  soon  as  we  can  house  and 
feed  them,  I  shall  have  fifty  men  at  work  on  the 
dam  foundation;  also  as  many  more  clearing  up 
the  swamp  when  freezing  weather  comes.  I  think 
I'd  better  go  now,"  he  added,  consulting  his  watch 
again  and  rising.  Then  and  despite  all  Uncle  Asa's 
urging  and  assertion  that  "  Hazel's  company  '11  be 
goin'  soon,"  Stacy  hurried  away. 

The  fact  was  that  he  did  not  want  to  stay  and 


390  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

meet  that  piquant  lady  this  evening,  but  wished 
rather  that  she  should  know  he  had  come  and  gone 
without  attempting  to  see  her.  Despite  all  his  heart- 
to-heart  exchange  with  her  father,  Stacy  still  felt 
that  she  ought  to  have  informed  this  Penrose  fel- 
low that  a  caller  was  expected  this  evening,  and 
so  been  ready  to  see  him. 

Like  some  other  men  in  this  world,  Stacy  was 
inclined  to  feel  himself  the  largest  "  pebble  on  the 
beach." 

Uncle  Asa,  however,  felt  that  he,  as  he  would  put 
it,  "  had  got  to  cut  a  cat's  claws,"  and  it  was  no 
easy  task  to  accomplish.  He  knew  Hazel's  spirit, 
knew  how  she  felt  about  this  deed  matter  —  now 
common  gossip,  and  that  some  unpleasant  things 
would  be  said  by  her  when  this  matter  came  up. 
Beyond  that,  and  while  he  didn't  blame  Stacy,  since 
he  meant  no  harm,  he  felt  that  it  was  a  thought- 
less act  of  his  to  have  this  deed  drawn  in  her 
name.  And  he  also  very  much  desired  to  bring 
about  amiable  relations  between  Hazel  and  Stacy 
with  the  hope  that  it  might  mature  into  something 
more.  Not  that  he  was  a  matchmaker  or  anxious 
to  dispose  of  Hazel,  only  —  broad-minded  and 
keen  as  he  was  —  he  saw  the  best  that  was  in 
Stacy,  and  that  below  his  surface  nature,  or  a  dis- 
position to  be  masterful  and  overconfident,  lay  the 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  391 

better  attributes  of  honor,  honesty,  and  generosity. 

"  The  fur'll  fly,  I  s'pose,"  he  said  to  himself,  now 
freshening  the  fire,  and  still  thinking  of  this  task 
after  Stacy  had  been  gone  a  half  hour,  "  'n'  dern 
that  Penrose  feller,  anyway!  Why  don't  he  know 
'miff  to  go  home  when  it's  time?  He's  sartinly  a 
stayer ! " 

Then  he  filled  his  pipe  again  and  puffed  away  in 
glum  silence  for  almost  an  hour,  or  until  the  kitchen 
clock  chimed  eleven,  and  Hazel's  caller  departed. 

"  Wai,  he's  gone  finally,  hez  he  ?  "  he  queried  as 
Hazel  now  entered  the  kitchen,  and  without  a  smile. 
"  Good  deal  like  a  burdock  burr,  wa'n't  he,  girlie  ?  " 

"  Yes,  father,"  she  answered  dutifully,  "  and  an 
awful  bore,  too.  But  I  couldn't  tell  him  to  go,  you 
see  ?  It  was  Mr.  Whipple  that  called,  wasn't  it  ?  I 
recognized  his  voice." 

"  Yes,  jist  to  talk  business  a  few  minutes,  he 
didn't  stay  long,  bein'  ez  yew  had  company,  I 
cal'late,"  returned  her  father,  then  paused,  watching 
her  still  standing  beside  the  chair  Stacy  had  occu- 
pied. "  Sit  down,  girlie,"  he  added  the  next  mo- 
ment. "  I've  got  suthin'  to  talk  over  with  ye. 

"  It's  this,"  he  added,  as  she  obeyed,  "  'n'  I  want 
ye  to  take  it  cool,  'n'  ez  things  are,  to  please  me. 
Now,  Mr.  Whipple's  all  right  'n'  I  like  him,  ez  ye 
know.  But  he's  had  a  good  deal  on  his  mind  lately, 


392  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

gittin'  ready  to  tackle  them  two  sharpers  we 
scooped  'n'  started  towards  a  jail,  anyhow,  'n'  when 
he  had  that  deed  filled  out  in  yewr  name  he  didn't 
stop  to  think  it  might  leak  out  'n'  do  harm  by 
shamin'  ye,  if  it  did." 

"Did  he  say  so?"  interrupted  Hazel,  anxiously. 

"  He  did,  sartinly,  but  he  don't  know  yew  know 
it,  or  anybody  but  the  Squire  'n'  I,  'n'  he  made  the 
Squire  swear  he  wouldn't  tell.  'N'  I  don't  think 
he'd  best  be  told  ye  know  it,  'n'  feel  hurt,"  he  added 
after  a  pause ;  "  'twould  make  him  feel  'shamed, 
too,  'n'  won't  help  matters." 

"  But  why  didn't  he  think  first  and  not  use  my 
name  and  get  me  talked  about?"  returned  Hazel 
with  rising  anger.  "  It's  such  an  unusual  thing  that 
everybody  is  saying  he  expects  I  will  marry  him 
anyhow,  and  glad  of  the  chance !  He  has  done  an 
almost  insulting  thing,  and  the  more  I  think  about 
it,  the  madder  I  get !  " 

"  Fergit  it  then,"  returned  her  father  with  a  light 
laugh,  "  'n'  think  how  much  wuss  he  might  'a'  done ! 
He  might  'a'  tried  to  skin  me  outen  the  land  'stead 
o'  insistin'  on  givin'  me  five  thousand  fer  it  ez  he 
did  this  evenin'.  Ez  fer  the  talk,  Hazel " —  con- 
solingly — "  thar  ain't  a  gal  here  but  what  'ud  be 
tickled  to  pieces  to  hev  a  nice  feller  like  him  fall 
over  himself  to  make  her  sich  a  present  ez  that. 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  393 

Ez  fer  him  'spectin'  you  to  marry  him  " —  smiling 
now  — "  o'  course  he  does  if  he  kin  coax  ye  to. 
But  that  ain't  no  insult,  either. 

"  'N'  now  to  git  to  business,"  he  continued 
soberly,  "  he  wants  you  to  deed  this  land  over  to  me 
fer  the  looks  on't,  I'm  to  deed  it  over  to  his  firm, 
'n'  that's  the  end  o'  the  transaction." 

"  I  am  glad  he  had  even  so  much  consideration 
for  public  opinion,"  Hazel  responded  less  tartly, 
"  but  he  mustn't  think  he  owns  me  or  can  buy  me, 
for  he  never  can !  " 

"  O'  course  not,  course  not,  no  sich  idee  on  his 
part,  girlie,"  asserted  Uncle  Asa  in  his  most  sooth- 
ing tone,  "  leastwise  not  in  the  way  you  mean.  'N' 
yet  he  does  mean  to  buy  ye  with  his  name,  his 
feelin's,  'n'  all  he's  got  in  the  world,  if  he  kin.  'N' 
ye  orter  feel  proud  ye're  wuth  all  that  to  him." 
And  Hazel,  thus  consoled  by  her  tactful  father,  bade 
him  good  night  and  left  the  kitchen. 

"It'll  all  work  out  'bout  ez  it  allus  does,"  he 
mused  after  she  had  gone.  "  Some  scrappin'  'n' 
naggin'  to  begin,  some  makin'-up  'n'  runnin'  away 
to  make  him  chase  her,  'n'  he  doin'  it,  till  courtin' 
days  are  over  'n'  both  sorry,  same  ez  I  was. 

"  But  I  wish  that  Penrose  feller  'ud  hike  back 
to  Barre.  He  hain't  no  show  with  Hazel,  'n'  he's 
only  in  the  way,  now." 


CHAPTER  XXXII 

UNCLE  ASA'S  measure  of  Stacy  and  his 
disposition  to  sulk  if  hurt  was  correct,  for 
he  did  not  call  upon  Hazel  again  for 
three  weeks,  and  did  not  even  see  her  except  in 
church  the  following  Sunday,  and  then  hurried 
away  after  service  to  avoid  meeting  her.  The  facts 
were  that  he  was  entirely  unconscious  how  morti- 
fied she  had  felt  over  the  gossip  regarding  his  use 
of  her  name  in  the  deed  he  had  had  drawn,  and 
ascribed  her  coolness  and  avoidance  of  him  during 
the  camping-out  episode  as  an  occult  desire  to  im- 
press him  with  the  fact  that  his  society  was  not 
especially  desired  by  her. 

"  She  distrusted  me  from  the  start,"  he  assured 
himself  again  and  again  while  nursing  this  fit  of 
sulks;  "  she  was  half  sorry  for  so  doing  when  con- 
vinced I  wasn't  the  robber  she  imagined,  and  was 
nice  and  sweet  to  me  when  we  started  on  the  camp- 
ing-out trip.  Then,  for  fear  I  should  presume 
upon  it,  or  woman-like,  not  willing  to  own  up  she 
was  wrong  —  presto,  she  got  chilly  again!  Then, 
still  further  to  impress  me  with  her  total  indiffer- 

394 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  395 

ence,  she  invites  this  Barre  dude  to  call  the  evening 
I  am  expected! 

"  It  will  be  quite  a  long  time  before  I  try  to  see 
you  again,  Miss  Iceberg !  " 

In  a  way,  too,  Stacy  was  justified  in  feeling  as  he 
did,  for  while  the  desire  to  get  square  with  a  dis- 
reputable pair  of  swindlers  for  trying  to  play  a 
sharp  game  of  extortion  on  him  had  been  one  rea- 
son for  his  counterplotting,  beyond  that  was  the 
broader  and  nobler  one  of  wishing  to  aid  that  good 
old  Samaritan,  Uncle  Asa,  and  restore  Hazel's 
heritage.  He  had  spent  hundreds  of  dollars  in  this 
quest,  and  much  valuable  time.  He  had  almost  ex- 
asperated his  partner  for  so  much  delay  of  their 
business  obligations,  and  now  felt  that  the  girl 
he  had  shown  his  admiration  for  in  so  many 
ways,  and  done  so  much  to  aid,  might  at  least 
have  been  ready  to  receive  and  entertain  him  the 
first  evening  of  his  return  to  Oakdale.  And  he 
had  assured  Uncle  Asa  that  he  should  call  then! 

But  Stacy,  while  sore  at  heart  from  Hazel's 
treatment,  was  not  one  to  show  it  or  let  it  interfere 
with  business  in  any  manner.  He  met  Uncle  Asa 
the  next  morning  as  cordially  as  ever,  and  soon  as 
both  deeds  were  properly  executed  and  recorded, 
gave  him  a  check  for  five  thousand  dollars  as  non- 
chalantly as  though  for  five  cents,  then  after  again 


396  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

requesting  Squire  Phinney  to  keep  silent  regarding 
the  use  of  Hazel's  name,  invited  Uncle  Asa  over 
to  the  hotel  to  join  with  Sam  in  the  signing  of  their 
partnership  papers,  and  in  a  subsequent  discussion 
of  how  much  and  what  land  to  buy.  He  then 
joined  the  two  surveyors  in  their  work  of  mapping 
out  the  reservoir  area,  location  of  dam,  and  where 
to  obtain  stone  for  it,  hired  a  few  men  and  set 
them  building  barracks  and  cooking  and  dining- 
room  adjacent  to  the  selected  site,  and  large  enough 
to  take  care  of  the  hundred  or  more  men  soon  to 
be  at  work.  He  consulted  with  Bascom,  and  gave 
him  orders  for  bedding,  and  a  cooking  outfit  for 
these,  also  for  supplies;  had  a  small  shanty  built 
for  his  own  office  near  the  camp,  and  as  Bascom's 
store  contained  the  only  telephone  connecting  Oak- 
dale  with  Barre,  he  ordered  a  branch  line  joining 
this  with  his  office  and  hotel.  With  so  much  ac- 
complished towards  the  contract  on  hand,  he  visited 
Barre,  hired  about  half  the  force  of  woodchoppers 
and  stone  masons  needed,  and  set  them  at  work. 
About  fifty  more  came  up  later  from  Albion,  and 
within  two  weeks,  Sam  was  saying  to  the  Old 
Guard  "  Things  air  hummin'  now  roundabout  old 
B'ar  Hole  Swamp,  'n'  suthin'  doin'  fer  sartin. 

"  He's  a  hustler,  that  Whipple  feller,  he  is,"  Sam 
added  admiringly,  "  'n'  if  I'd  any  idee  o'  what  was 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  397 

in  his  nut  the  day  he  lit  here  last  June,  I  wouldn't 
'a'  sprung  that  hell-hole  on  him  ez  I  did.  But  he 
don't  lay  it  up  agin  me,  jist  took  it  ez  'twas  meant, 
V  I  respect  him  fer  it!  He's  all  right,  'n'  all 
wool,  he  is,  'n'  goin'  to  be  the  makin'  o'  this  'ere 
town. 

"  We're  pards,  too,  in  some  buildin'  plans  in  the 
futur,"  he  admitted  with  satisfied  smile  at  the 
group  now  enjoying  the  October  afternoon  sun- 
shine with  him  on  the  hotel  piazza,  "  me  'n'  Uncle 
Asa.  'N'  some  day  this  town'll  wake  up  'n'  won't 
know  what's  hit  'em,  they  won't!  Thar'll  be  trol- 
ley keers  up  to  the  depot,  'lectric  lights  a-goin' 
nights  all  over  the  town,  ships'll  be  anchorin'  in 
the  mouth  o'  the  crick,  'n'  I  wouldn't  be  s'prised  if 
we  built  this  hotel  bigger,  jist  to  'commodate  city 
folks  comin'  summers,  ez  they  will." 

"  'N'  look  at  the  money  he's  puttin'  out  now," 
interrupted  Bascom  with  satisfaction,  "  'n'  most  on't 
through  me.  He  ain't  no  skinflint,  he  ain't.  Jist 
come  to  me  'n'  ordered  everything  he  wanted  off- 
hand 'thout  drivin'  any  sort  o'  bargain.  '  Bascom,' 
he  says,  beginnin'  to  write  'em  down,  *  here's  a  list 
o'  things  I  want  ye  to  git,  'n'  make  the  price  right 
fer  spot  cash  down,  'n'  ye  git  it ! '  I  did,  too,  a 
check  the  next  day  arter  I  gin  him  a  bill  fer  the 
fittin's  o'  his  shacks.  He's  good  pay,  anyhow,  'n' 


398  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

that's  what  I  like  best  in  any  man,"  he  continued 
gratefully;  "  no  hangin'  ye  up,  'n'  keepin'  ye  waitin' 
f er  pay  till  the  'count  gits  moss  on't !  " 

"  I  s'pose  I  might  git  a  job  bossin'  some  o'  the 
men  over  to  the  dam,"  drawled  Lem  Atwater,  now 
catching  some  of  this  new  enthusiasm.  "  I'd  be 
willin'  if  he  wanted  me.  Guess  I'll  ask  him." 

"  Yaas,  you'd  be  willin'  to  do  bossin',  I'll  bet,"  re- 
joined Sam  in  the  same  drawl.  "  But  ye'll  never 
do  any  work  if  ye  kin  duck  it,  Lem.  Work  'n'  yew 
never  was  good  friends." 

While  Oakdale  was  now  all  agog  over  Stacy's 
plans  and  doings,  and  rife  with  gossip  concerning 
their  outcome,  its  daily  life  was  continuing  in  the 
same  even  tenor  as  usual.  Each  day  Uncle  Levi 
made  his  two  trips  to  the  depot  and  return,  con- 
veying one  small  mail  pouch  and  an  occasional 
drummer.  Nearly  every  other  day  Uncle  Asa 
pulled  down  the  creek  to  draw  his  pots,  and  that 
evening  drove  up  to  the  village  with  his  catch  of 
lobsters,  leaving  most  of  them  at  the  hotel.  Occa- 
sionally, from  fatherly  interest  in  Stacy's  appetite, 
a  basket  of  clams  was  added  to  this  contribution. 
Hazel,  also,  in  spite  of  her  father's  protest,  had 
opened  school  again,  and  each  morning  and  even- 
ing now  trudged  back  and  forth  over  the  mile-and- 
a-half  journey  thus  made  obligatory,  and  when  Sun- 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  399 

day  came  was  as  usual  occupying  her  position  in  the 
choir.  And  her  exquisite  voice  drew  more  at- 
tendants than  Parson  Upson's  ultra  orthodox  argu- 
ments ! 

Gossip  was  also  rife  concerning  Stacy's  interest 
in  her  and  its  probable  result,  for  his  gifts,  sugges- 
tive attentions,  and  use  of  her  name  in  the  deed 
pointed  to  but  one  conclusion.  In  the  meantime, 
Stacy,  entirely  unconscious  of  how  she  felt  about 
this  matter,  and  of  the  persistent  gossip,  was  so 
busy  —  in  fact  so  overwhelmed  with  care  and  re- 
sponsibility, that  he  scarce  knew  what  day  of  the 
week  it  was. 

Each  morn,  long  before  Hazel  came  up  through 
the  village  school  ward  bound,  he  left  the  hotel,  ate 
dinner  with  his  men  to  save  time,  and  returned 
when  sunset  came,  so  naturally  never  met  her.  He 
still  nursed  his  pique,  however,  and  while  he  often 
glanced  down  towards  Maple  Dell  longingly  in  go- 
ing or  returning  from  his  office  near  the  camp,  and 
had  almost  to  grit  his  teeth  when  evening  came 
to  keep  himself  from  calling  on  her  again  unbidden, 
his  fit  of  sulks  and  "  stick-it-out  "  nature  prevailed 
over  his  heart  hunger.  His  journey  over  the  hills 
and  along  a  new-made  road  to  the  dam  site  also 
brought  him  to  a  point  where  he  could  look  down 
upon  and  reconnoiter  her  home,  and  here  when 


400  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

alone,  he  invariably  halted  to  do  so,  and  see  if 
perchance  she  was  visible.  He  did  see  her  once, 
thus  watching,  but  at  such  a  distance  that  he  was 
sure  she  did  not  recognize  him.  The  sight  of  her 
brought  an  unexpected  thrill  and  consciousness 
that  he  was,  after  all,  playing  a  fool's  part,  and 
gnawing  a  file.  He  also  almost  desired  to  curse 
himself  for  being  unable  to  put  her  out  of  his  mind 
and  feelings. 

"  It's  a  part  of  the  illusion,  I  suppose,"  he  as- 
serted to  himself,  philosophically,  now  striding  on, 
"  and  what  a  consummate  fool  that  will  make  of 
a  man ! " 

Uncle  Asa,  however,  wise  beyond  either  of  these 
two  actors  in  the  real  drama  of  life,  saw  that 
something  was  amiss  in  his  pet  project,  and  was 
pained  accordingly.  He  had  attended  to  his  part, 
made  deposit  of  the  five  thousand  dollars  in  Hazel's 
name,  and  with  Sam,  as  bargain  maker,  had  either 
bought  or  obtained  options  on  all  land  of  which 
Stacy  had  advised  the  purchase.  He  had  also  lo- 
cated where  roads  could  best  be  cut  through  the 
swamp-bordering  woods,  shown  Stacy  where  a 
spring  could  be  tapped  by  a  pipe  and  supply  the 
best  of  water  to  his  camp,  and  helped  the  surveyors 
in  many  ways.  All  the  preliminary  details  of 
Stacy's  dam  and  city-building  plans  were  develop- 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  401 

ing  in  due  order,  but  the  most  important  —  the 
inner  one  that  was  to  bind  Stacy's  interest  here 
—  was  apparently  failing  to  materialize.  Uncle 
Asa  was  too  wise  and  tactful  even  to  hint  this  to 
Stacy  or  Hazel,  yet  the  fact  that  Stacy  had  not 
called  at  his  home  since  the  first  night  after  his 
arrival  for  good,  nor  his  name  been  mentioned  by 
Hazel,  seemed  ominous.  The  coast  was  all  clear 
now.  Penrose,  whom  Uncle  Asa  had  much  de- 
spised, had  returned  to  Barre,  and  Hazel,  as  if  she, 
too,  were  piqued  about  something,  either  read  in 
glum  silence  each  long  evening,  or  hied  herself 
away  to  call  on  one  of  her  girl  friends.  It  wasn't 
right,  according  to  her  father's  ideas  and  hopes, 
yet  such  were  the  facts.  He  also  tried  a  diplomatic 
suggestion  one  day,  but  it  failed  of  its  object. 

"  It's  gittin'  late  in  the  season,"  he  said  to  Stacy 
that  day  when  he,  as  usual,  made  his  visit  to  the 
camp  to  see  how  work  was  progressing,  "  'n'  we 
won't  hev  many  more  days  -warm  'nuff  to  go  shorin' 
agin  this  fall,  I  s'pose.  I'd  like  to  hev  yew  'n'  I 
go  once  more,  howsomever,"  he  continued,  glanc- 
ing furtively  at  Stacy,  who  now  looked  up  from 
his  desk  as  he  spoke,  "  jist  yew  'n'  I  'n'  Hazel 
some  Saturday  when  she's  out  o'  school.  How'd 
that  strike  ye,  Mr.  Whipple?  Ye've  ben  workin' 
stiddy  now  fer  'most  three  weeks,  'n'  a  day  off'll 


402  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

do  ye  good,  mebbe  ?     What  do  ye  say  to  the  idee  ?  " 

"  I'll  do  it  gladly,"  returned  Stacy  smiling,  fully 
conscious  of  what  was  in  Uncle  Asa's  mind.  "  In 
fact  I  would  enjoy  another  day  at  the  shore  very 
much.  I  doubt  if  Miss  Hazel  would  care  to  join  us, 
however,  unless  her  girl  friends  were  asked.  You 
can  find  out,  though,  and  let  me  know.  I  am  at 
your  service  any  day  you  say." 

To  have  three  girls  along  and  a  repetition  of 
what  he  imagined  had  caused  Stacy's  fit  of  sulks 
on  the  previous  outing,  was  not  what  Uncle  Asa 
wanted,  however,  so  he  let  the  matter  drop. 

"  It's  a  mix-up  all  'round,"  he  asserted  to  himself 
soon  after,  homeward  bound,  "  a  sorter  tangle  I 
can't  unravel.  Hazel's  sore  over  his  usin'  her 
name  on  the  deed,  'n'  he's  sulky  'count  o'  the  way 
she  sent  him  off  with  the  Oakes  gal.  On  top  o' 
this  crisscross  is  that  Penrose  feller's  cuttin'  him 
out  that  evenin'  he  called,  'n'  thar  ye  be!  Mebbe 
luck  or  the  Lord'll  pervide  a  way  out  o'  the  tangle, 
but  I  can't  see  one!  Handlin'  a  couple  o'  balky 
lovers  is  wuss'n  breakin'  in  a  pair  o'  steers !  " 

Luck,  however,  did  play  a  part  in  this  complica- 
tion, and  speedily,  too,  for  the  very  next  afternoon 
Stacy  returning  to  the  village  two  hours  earlier  than 
usual  to  see  Bascom  about  some  supplies,  had  just 
reached  the  main  road  when  he  met  the  elusive 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  403 

Hazel,  homeward  bound  from  her  school.  She 
smiled  and  bowed  with  her  invariable  dignity,  he 
raised  his  hat,  smiling,  also,  then  halted  suddenly 
as  she  came  up. 

"  How  do  you  do,  Miss  Webster,"  he  said,  speak- 
ing first  in  cool  tone,  "  and  how  have  you  been 
since  our  camping-out  party  ?  " 

"  Nicely,  thank  you,"  she  returned  in  the  same 
tone.  "  And  how  have  you  been  ?  Very  busy, 
from  what  I  hear  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  he  rejoined,  smiling  again,  "  so  busy  I've 
lost  all  count  of  time  these  days.  Let  me  see,  is  it 
two  weeks  or  a  month  since  I  was  down  to  call  on 
your  father  and  didn't  see  you  ?  " 

"  I  really  couldn't  say,"  she  answered  in  the  same 
nonchalant  tone.  "  Time  passes  quickly  to  me  now 
that  I  am  teaching  school  again.  I  think  I  saw  you 
at  church  last  Sunday,  didn't  I?  Or  was  it  two 
weeks  ago  ?  " 

"  Two  I  should  guess,"  he  returned  with  furtive 
glance  into  her  impassive  face,  and  then  a  halt  came 
to  this  cool  and  polite  exchange;  also  an  instan- 
taneous conviction  in  Stacy's  mind  that  neither  by 
word  nor  glance  even  would  this  icy  maid  allow 
him  to  infer  that  she  cared  one  iota  whether  she 
ever  saw  him  again  or  not.  And  almost  also,  did 
Stacy's  pique  and  pride  win  over  his  heart-hunger, 


404  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

and  cause  him  to  make  a  polite  leave-taking  and 
turn  away. 

For  one  long  moment,  a  crucial  one  in  the  heart- 
history  of  these  two,  Love  and  Pride  hung  at  even 
balance  in  Stacy's  mind,  then  Love  won. 

"  I  was  sorry  not  to  see  you  the  other  evening," 
he  next  said  in  more  cordial  tone.  "  I  rather  ex- 
pected to." 

"  So  was  I,"  smiling  slightly  again,  "  but  I  had 
an  unexpected  caller  and  you  left  before  he  did. 
You  might  try  again?"  she  added  piquantly.  "I 
am  usually  at  home  evenings." 

"  And  find  another  caller  monopolizing  your  com- 
pany?" 

"  Possibly,  though  not  probably.  I  have  few 
friends  here,  and  those  from  Barre  have  gone 
home."  Then,  as  if  this  were  all  the  encourage- 
ment she  would  give  him,  she  took  one  step  onward, 
then  halted. 

"  Well,  I  will  try  again,"  responded  Stacy  with 
more  eagerness.  "  Perhaps  this  evening.  Shall 
you  be  at  home  ?  " 

"  I  expect  to  be,"  she  returned,  and  with  a 
"  Thank  you,  then  I  shall  call,"  from  Stacy,  he 
raised  his  hat,  bowed,  and  turned  away. 

"  Pretty  cool,  but  she's  worth  knuckling  to,"  he 
muttered  when  well  away  from  this  fascinating 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  405 

maid.  "  And  proud  ?  Ye  gods,  but  that's  no  name 
for  it !  "  And  then  recalling  her  implied  invitation 
to  call,  somehow  a  keen  thrill  of  satisfaction  came 
with  it,  and  forget  fulness  that  he  was  still  walking 
upon  the  earth. 

And  something  of  the  same  buoyancy  of  heart 
gave  Hazel's  homeward  footsteps  a  new  resiliency! 


CHAPTER  XXXIII 

IN  spite  of  Hazel's  first  pique  and  vexation  over 
Stacy's  use  of  her  name  in  the  deed,  and  the 
consequent  gossip,  what  her  father  had  said 
and  her  own  good  sense  had  —  during  this  three 
week's  interim  —  softened  the  poignant  barb,  so  to 
speak,  and  healed  the  wound.  Pride,  also,  was  a 
factor,  for  his  not  calling  again  for  so  long  was  not 
flattering  in  the  face  of  her  girl  friends'  opinions 
of  his  eligibility,  so  freely  expressed;  and  beyond 
that,  what  he  had  actually  done  for  her  father 
gradually  appealed  to  her  most  of  all.  The  one 
other  sore  spot  in  her  feelings  —  the  idea  that  he 
felt  he  could  buy  her  —  was  also  healing.  Then 
again,  like  leaven  in  the  mixture  of  many  emotions, 
there  were  her  own  feelings.  She  was  not  in  love 
with  him  as  yet,  felt  positive  her  sole  duty  in  life 
was  devotion  to  her  father,  she  loved  her  own 
freedom  and  meant  to  retain  it ;  and  yet,  despite  all 
this,  Stacy's  bold,  assertive  ways,  his  well-proved 
business  sagacity  and  lofty  sense  of  honor,  and 
more  especially  his  devotion  to  her  father's  interests, 

406 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  407 

all  known  to  her,  were  factors  that  kept  his  face 
in  her  mind  at  all  times. 

"  He  is  a  man  among  men  in  spite  of  his  sulkiness 
and  imperious  ways,"  her  heart  kept  saying,  and 
when  he  capitulated,  so  to  speak,  that  crucial  mo- 
ment on  the  highway,  a  sudden  consciousness  of  her 
own  power  and  worth  and  what  it  meant  to  him, 
brought  a  keen  thrill  of  satisfaction.  It  is  also  need- 
less to  say  that  when  he  presented  himself  at  the 
throne  of  her  gracious  consideration  that  evening, 
she  was  garbed  in  her  most  becoming  evening  gown, 
vases  rilled  with  bunches  of  scarlet  and  yellow  leaves 
graced  the  parlor,  and  a  cheerful  fire  added  its 
welcoming  charm.  And  best  of  all,  Hazel  her- 
self, who  with  cheeks  reflecting  a  faint  touch  of  the 
glowing  flames  and  eyes  unusually  tender,  made  the 
supreme  and  crowning  feature  of  this  homelike 
room. 

It  is  said  that  men  marry  with  their  eyes  and 
women  with  their  ears,  and  something  of  the  same 
motive  force  now  gave  a  bias  to  Stacy's  feelings. 
For  three  weeks  he  had  been  starving  himself  for 
Hazel's  face  through  pique.  Each  day  about  the 
only  ones  he  had  seen  (excluding  Norah's)  had  been 
the  scores  of  coarse,  hard-featured,  or  swarthy  ones 
of  his  workmen ;  and  evenings,  the  brown,  wrinkled, 


408  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

seldom-shaven  faces  of  Sam  and  the  Old  Guard, 
or  that  of  Uncle  Asa.  So  that  now  to  have  the 
piquant,  exquisitely -tinted  and  animated  one  of 
Hazel's  smiling  at  him,  seemed  like  a  gift  from  the 
gods! 

And  very  grateful  was  he  for  it. 

"  Your  fire  recalls  our  evening  at  the  shore,"  he 
said,  after  she  had  installed  him  in  an  easy  chair  one 
side  of  it  and  herself  opposite,  "  and  all  the  romance 
of  it,  also.  I  have  lived  that  evening  over  again 
many  times  since,  and  always  hear  the  low  wave- 
wash  when  I  do,  and  your  banjo  as  well." 

"  Living  over  pleasant  hours  and  experiences  is 
the  best  part  of  them,  I  think,"  she  returned  dream- 
ily, as  if  now  recalling  this  one.  "  Much  depends 
upon  one's  moods,  however,  at  the  time.  That  is, 
whether  we  are  in  a  receptive  one  or  not." 

"  You  believe  in  moods  then  ?  " 

"  Why,  yes,  how  can  one  help  it  ?  It's  like  a 
sense  of  obligation  that  forces  itself  upon  you  and, 
as  Emerson  says,  '  Life  is  but  a  succession  of  moods, 
varying  ever  like  those  of  a  kaleidoscope.'  Mine 
are,  anyway,  and  what  I  say  and  do  in  one,  I  am  apt 
to  repent  of  in  another." 

"  That  recalls  Sam  and  his  observation  about  his 
mine  certificate,"  rejoined  Stacy  with  a  smile. 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  409 

"  He  has  it  framed  to  keep  and  prove  how  many 
kinds  of  fool  a  man  can  be  and  live,  he  says." 

"  So  I  have  heard,"  responded  Hazel,  also  smil- 
ing. "  Not  much  happens  here  without  all  Oakdale 
hearing  of  it." 

"  My  comings  and  goings  and  all  about  my  plans, 
also,  I  presume,"  queried  Stacy,  seeing  a  faint  light. 

"Of  course,  and  to  a  greater  extent  than  you 
imagine,  I  presume  " —  glancing  curiously  at  him. 
"  To  live  here  is  like  dwelling  in  a  glass  house  that 
keeps  no  secrets." 

"  Not  even  those  promised  to  be  kept  inviolate  on 
honor  ?  "  questioned  Stacy,  seeing  more  light. 

"Very  few,"  flushing  and  looking  down;  "and 
worse  than  that,  what  we  don't  say  and  do,  but  might 
or  might  not,  is  also  discussed." 

For  one  long  moment  Stacy  stared  at  the  fire 
while  this  suave  admission  with  its  occult  insinua- 
tion was  digested,  then  a  sudden  impulse  to  admit 
his  own  mistakes  came. 

"  Miss  Webster,"  he  said  earnestly,  "  you  have 
opened  my  eyes  to  a  situation  here  I  wasn't  aware 
of,  and  I  am  sorry  for  what  I  now  see  was  an  un- 
wise act  on  my  part,  though  meaning  no  harm,  and 
quite  thoughtless.  Did  you  hear  that  I  had  a  deed 
of  Bear  Hole  Swamp  drawn  in  your  name  before  I 


410  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

took  your  father  to  New  York?  I  mean  before  he 
asked  you  to  sign  another  one  over  to  my  firm?  " 

"  I  did,"  she  answered,  flushing  again.  "  I  was 
told  of  it  the  morning  we  started  on  our  camping- 
out  trip." 

Then  Stacy  gave  a  low  and  prolonged  whistle,  for 
now  the  origin  of  all  his  vexation  was  made  clear. 

"  So  much  for  trusting  a  man's  word  of  honor," 
he  next  said  with  sarcastic  inflection,  "  or  believing 
he  can  keep  a  secret.  I  feel  like  cowhiding  Squire 
Phinney."  And  without  waiting  for  any  response 
from  Hazel  he  hurriedly  gave  her  an  accurate  ac- 
count of  his  reasons  for  using  her  name  in  the  deed. 

"  I  dared  not  take  the  chance  and  go  to  this  Curtis 
North  with  my  name  or  your  father's  in  the  deed," 
he  added  in  conclusion,  "  for  my  act  was,  after  all, 
a  game  of  extortion.  This  swindler  had  actually 
bought  and  paid  full  price  for  the  land,  you  see,  and 
the  next  best  plan  was  to  use  yours,  because  I  knew 
you  would  transfer  the  property  back  to  us  if  your 
father  said  so.  My  action,  and  I  was  forced  to  it," 
he  added  regretfully,  "  has  cost  you  a  great  deal  of 
humiliation,  I  am  sure,  by  being  gossiped  about,  and 
me  three  weeks  of  lonesome  evenings  when  I 
wanted  to  be  down  here  calling  on  you." 

Then  Hazel  grew  rose-red,  for  this  was  almost  a 
confession  of  love. 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  411 

"  I  am  sorry  for  the  last  part,"  she  admitted 
naively ;  "  the  other  I  don't  care  about  now.  It  did 
hurt  me  at  first,  however,  for  I  did  not  understand 
it.  I've  grown  used  to  the  gossiping  tongues  now, 
and  don't  care  about  them,"  she  added  hastily,  "  so 
long  as  my  own  conscience  is  clear."  She  paused 
with  downcast  eyes.  One  instant  only,  while  Stacy 
watched  her  admiringly,  then  looked  up.  "  I,  too, 
am  sorry  for  something,"  she  next  asserted,  "  and 
that  is  my  own  neglect  in  thanking  you  for  all  you 
have  done  for  father.  It  has  lifted  a  load  from  his 
heart  and  made  him  ten  years  younger.  I  should 
have  done  so  that  day  at  •the  shore.  I  do  so  now 
and  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart." 

"  Forget  it,  please,"  rejoined  Stacy  briskly,  "  for 
I  am  still  in  your  debt  for  having  so  mortified  you. 
Also,  let  me  assure  you  that  I,  too,  feel  that  your 
father  is  worth  doing  a  good  turn  for  any  time.  I 
haven't  forgotten  how  nice  he  was  to  me  when  I 
came  here,  or  the  glorious  shortcake  you  prepared 
for  us  that  day,"  he  added,  as  if  wishing  to  dismiss 
the  more  serious  matter.  "  I  only  hope  I  shall 
be  here  when  strawberries  come  again,  and  get  an- 
other. I  presume  I  shall,  for  we  have  quite  a  con- 
tract on  hand." 

"  So  I  understand,"  with  sudden  interest,  "  for 
father  keeps  me  informed  about  your  doings.  I'd 


412  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

like  to  come  up  and  see  your  building  operations 
some  Saturday.  May  I  ?  " 

"  Most  certainly,  delighted  to  have  you,"  with 
eagerness.  "  Come  any  time  and  bring  all  your 
girl  friends."  And  then,  as  might  be  expected,  he 
launched  into  a  description  of  his  work  and  how  it 
was  carried  on.  "  I  hope  to  have  the  dam  up  by 
spring,"  he  explained  in  conclusion,  "  and  the 
swamp  cleared  by  then,  or  at  least  all  available  tim- 
ber hauled  out,  and  the  brush  ready  to  burn.  When 
the  dam  is  done  and  we  are  ready  to  close  the  gates, 
I  shall  have  my  partner  and  my  good  aunt,  who 
adopted  me  years  ago,  come  up;  also  invite  every- 
body here  to  help  celebrate  that  event.  Give  them 
a  feast. 

"  A  clambake,  perhaps,"  he  added  after  a  mo- 
ment's thought.  "  That  wouldn't  be  a  bad  idea, 
would  it,  with  your  father  as  its  master  spirit? 

"  And  now  to  change  the  subject,"  he  continued, 
after  this  had  been  fully  discussed,  and  smiling, 
"  you  have  listened  patiently  to  all  my  prosy  dis- 
quisition on  dam  building,  let  me  do  some  listening 
while  you  favor  me.  You  can  guess  how,"  and  he 
nodded  towards  the  piano. 

"  With  pleasure,"  smiling  at  his  original  way  of 
asking.  "  Which  shall  it  be  —  piano,  harp,  or 
banjo?" 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  413 

"  The  harp  first  so  I  can  go  back  to  the  first  time 
I  saw  you,  and  a  few  songs  later.  My  three  weeks' 
penance  for  my  sins  and  Sam's  company  evenings 
has  made  me  music-hungry  —  starved,  in  fact." 

"  So  I  judge  by  your  modest  request,"  she  re- 
torted smiling ;  "  but  if  you  feel  you  have  been 
properly  punished  for  your  unsocial  conduct,  you 
shall  be  rewarded." 

And  reward  him  she  did,  without  urging  and  with 
an  hour-long  medley  of  her  choicest  musical  gems. 
She  then  brought  in  a  tray  of  light  refreshments, 
urged  him  to  enjoy  a  cigar  after  that,  freshened  the 
fire,  and  drew  her  own  chair  up  for  further  con- 
verse, and  so  the  evening  passed. 

And  a  delightful  one  it  was  to  Stacy,  now  more 
in  love  than  ever  with  this  daintily  beautiful,  tact- 
ful, and  charming  little  lady  who  had  the  rare  art  of 
inspiring  his  best  thoughts,  and  being  an  apprecia- 
tive listener  as  well.  She  really  did  mean  to  be 
entertaining,  also,  not  from  any  desire  to  ensnare  — 
that  was  beneath  her  —  but  from  a  gracious  wish 
to  show  her  appreciation  of  what  he  had  done  for 
her  father.  Also,  and  beyond  that,  to  make  amends 
for  her  own  previous  distrust  and  coolness.  He 
noticed,  too,  that  she  wore  the  beautiful  slippers  he 
had  sent  her;  the  books  of  his  selection  were  all 
conspicuous  upon  the  parlor  table;  and  more  flat- 


414  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

tering  even  than  those  evidences  of  her  occult  tact, 
was  the  persistency  with  which  she  kept  him  talking 
about  his  own  plans  and  city-building  intentions. 

And  if  there  is  any  one  thing  more  flattering  to 
a  man  than  another  (and  most  men  hunger  for  it), 
it  is  to  keep  him  talking  about  himself!  And  the 
sweetest  flattery  of  all,  is  to  have  a  charming  lady 
do  it! 

"  I  have  had  a  most  delightful  evening,  Miss 
Webster,"  he  assured  her  at  parting ;  "  how  much  so 
you  can't  realize  unless  you  know  the  scope  and 
ancient  story-telling  proclivities  of  Sam's  retinue, 
which  I've  had  to  endure  now  for  three  weeks.  I 
trust  I  may  impose  upon  your  charity  again,  and 
often?" 

"  I  shall  be  pleased  to  see  you  any  evening,"  she 
responded,  smiling  archly ;  "  and  if  I  have  callers 
and  your  courage  fails,  you  can  take  refuge  behind 
the  grindstone  again.  I  hope  it  will  not,  however." 

And  once  more  as  he  now  strode  down  the  leaf- 
carpeted  lane,  the  light  pressure  of  her  little  hand 
at  parting  was  with  him,  the  rustling  of  the  brown 
leaves  beneath  his  feet  was  like  the  tinkle  of  tiny 
bells,  and  a  wondrous,  newborn  buoyancy  of  feel- 
ing, made  the  star-lit  night  seem  glorious. 

"  I  am  in  for  it,  and  no  escape  now,"  he  said, 
measuring  his  own  feelings  philosophically,  and 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  415 

fully  conscious  of  what  this  elation  meant.  "  It's 
either  yes  or  no,  heaven  or  the  other  place  for  me, 
that's  certain!  But  bless  her  sweet  soul,  she's 
worth  it,  ten  times  over !  " 

When  he  reached  the  hotel  his  only  welcome  was 
one  small  lamp  left  burning  for  him,  but  by  it  he 
despatched  a  rather  laconic  missive. 

"  DEAR  BERT,"  he  wrote.  "  Send  me  three  dozen 
American  Beauty  roses  by  express,  and  have  them 
here  by  Saturday,  sure.  Yours  ever,  STACY." 

Then,  in  order  that  his  letter  would  go  out  on  the 
morning  mail,  he  hastened  over  to  Bascom's  store 
to  post  it. 

He  received  an  answer  by  due  return  of  mail,  and 
said  reply  must  also  be  quoted. 

"  Order  for  flowers  received  and  shipped  to-day. 
Bill  for  fifteen  dollars  enclosed,"  his  partner  wrote, 
"  and  may  you  be  happy  ever  after.  I  am  sure  you 
are  in  Oakdale.  Also  the  girl.  I  assume  you  are 
attending  to  our  business  part  of  the  time,  but  that 
is  only  a  guess.  When  is  the  wedding?  Yours, 
BERT." 


CHAPTER  XXXIV 

OODS  dominate  the  action  of  a  man  in 
love  more  than  at  any  other  period  of 
his  existence,  and  so  it  was  with  Stacy. 
He  had  felt  himself  ill-used  by  Hazel  and  nursed 
his  pique  for  three  weeks,  suffering  accordingly, 
and  then  when  her  adroit  hint  of  her  own  feelings 
and  cordial  reception  had  effectually  obliterated  his 
sense  of  injury,  he  felt  in  a  mood  to  rush  headlong 
into  a  proposal  of  marriage.  His  good  sense,  and 
the  consciousness  that  Hazel  could  not  be  won 
lightly  still  ruled  him,  however;  he  also  felt  that  he 
had  better  go  slowly  in  the  matter,  and  pay  court 
to  her  for  a  few  months  before  risking  the  all- 
important  question. 

"  One  robin  doesn't  bring  spring,  or  one  smile 
mean  a  woman  is  won,"  he  said  to  himself  the  next 
morning  on  his  way  over  to  the  camp  and  halting 
to  reconnoiter  Hazel's  home  once  more,  "  and  I'd 
better  be  cautious  and  not  slop  over  with  you,  my 
sweet  Iceberg!  She  is  keen  enough  to  understand 
the  drift  of  every  word  or  act  of  mine,"  he  added, 
now  striding  on.  "  She  will  know,  or  knows  al- 

416 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  417 

ready,  that  I  mean  to  win  her  if  I  can,  and  for  the 
rest,  when  she  feels  ready  to  say  *  yes/  she  will  give 
me  an  adroit  hint  of  it." 

In  this  latter  conclusion,  however,  he  was  mis- 
taken, as  many  a  man  has  been  before.  In  business 
matters,  Stacy,  as  may  be  inferred,  was  methodical, 
and  invariably  laid  his  plans  far  ahead  of  their  pos- 
sible consummation,  as  he  had  in  this  city-building 
air  castle  of  his.  Naturally,  also,  he  now  went 
about  his  plots  and  plans  of  love-making  in  the  same 
manner. 

"  I  mustn't  bore  her,"  he  said  to  himself  again 
and  returning  to  the  subject  now  uppermost  in  his 
mind  after  he  had  made  the  rounds  of  his  gangs  of 
men  at  work  that  morning.  "  Her  isolated  life 
with  her  books  and  music  has  made  her  self-con- 
tained and  analytical.  There  is  no  society  here,  so 
she  doesn't  need  an  escort.  Her  school  furnishes 
her  diversion  enough,  so  if  I  win  her  at  all,  it  must 
be  by  so  appealing  to  her  mind  that  she  will  come 
to  need  my  company,  and  for  that  I've  got  to  keep 
my  wits  awake,  polished,  and  with  an  edge  on  all 
the  time." 

And  in  this  conclusion  he  was  quite  right ! 

While  Stacy  was  now  sure  to  be  building  the  air 
castle  of  love,  the  more  practical  one  of  his  dam 
and  reservoir  still  intruded,  and  must,  intrude  for 


418  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

months  to  come.  He  had  by  this  time  about  fifty 
men  at  work  digging,  quarrying  and  squaring  stone, 
and  hauling  it  to  the  dam  site.  Also  as  many  more 
felling  the  trees  bordering  the  two-mile  long  by 
one-quarter  wide  area  of  Bear  Hole  Swamp,  or 
cutting  and  piling  the  brush  in  the  morass  part  of 
it,  ready  for  a  grand  conflagration  when  spring 
came  again.  A  cook  and  "  cookee,"  or  assistant, 
were  kept  very  busy  feeding  these,  they  must  be 
detailed  in  gangs  with  sub-bosses  to  direct  opera- 
tions, and  what  with  supplies  to  be  kept  coming,  the 
general  plan  of  all  work  to  be  directed  by  Stacy, 
order  preserved,  and  details  looked  after,  he  was 
busy  from  morning  until  night.  In  a  way,  also, 
his  operations,  and  the  rude  barracks  with  their 
cook-room  and  dining-room  amid  the  pines  below 
the  dam  site,  much  resembled  a  lumber  camp  in  the 
woods.  It  was  out  of  sight  or  sound  of  the  village, 
the  grand  old  trees  filling  the  gorge  below  the  site 
chosen  between  two  abutting  hills,  and  the  leaping, 
brawling  stream,  added  romance  to  the  seclusion. 
Uncle  Asa,  with  a  fatherly  interest  in  Stacy  and  the 
all-important  operations,  usually  paid  the  camp  a 
daily  visit,  and  when  he  came  again,  on  the  after- 
noon after  Stacy  had  made  his  peace  with  Hazel, 
so  to  speak,  that  young  man  was  more  anxious  to  go 
shoring  again  than  previously. 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  419 

"  I've  thought  over  your  suggestion  to  make  an- 
other trip  to  the  shore,  Uncle  Asa,"  he  said  to  him, 
coming  to  the  point  at  once,  "  and  as  to-morrow  is 
Saturday  and  Miss  Hazel  free  from  school,  if  she  is 
willing  and  you  say  the  word,  I  am  with  you." 

"  Wai,  that  suits  me,"  was  the  smiling  rejoinder, 
"  'n'  I'll  tell  Hazel  she's  wanted  by  both  on  us.  I 
don't  caHate  we  need  the  other  gals,  do  we  ?  " 

"  No,  decidedly  not,"  returned  Stacy,  noticing  the 
amused  twinkle  in  Uncle  Asa's  eyes;  "  just  we  three 
and  a  warm  day  is  enough." 

"Wai,  I  guess  we'll  git  it,"  responded  that 
weather-wise  man,  squinting  at  the  lowering  sun, 
"  'n'  I'm  powerful  glad  yew'll  git  away. 

"  I  allus  sorter  want  to  hang  onto  the  warm  fall 
days,"  he  added  with  a  shade  of  pathos,  "  'n'  make 
the  most  on  'em.  They  don't  last  long.  I  dread 
winters  more  'n'  more,  'n'  thar  ye  be." 

And  so  it  came  to  pass  the  next  day  that  these 
three  good  friends  with  plenty  of  wraps,  basket  of 
table  accessories,  and  good  spirits  galore,  once  more 
followed  the  ebb  tide's  outflow  down  the  winding 
creek. 

"  I'll  pull  my  pots,"  said  Uncle  Asa  after  land- 
ing, "  'n'  yew  two  must  keep  house  till  I'm  back." 
And  thus  exhorted  to  become  domestic,  Hazel  and 
Stacy  were  left  to  their  own  fate. 


420  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

And  both  were  very  willing! 

"  Why  is  it,"  queried  Stacy  after  the  table  had 
been  made  ready  and  driftwood  for  fire  duly  gath- 
ered, "  that  cooking  and  eating  away  in  the  woods 
or  beside  the  shore  is  attractive  to  so  many  people  ?  " 

"Just  the  romance  of  it,  I  presume,"  smiled 
Hazel,  "  or  to  escape  the  trammels  of  home  life. 
To  be  able  to  eat  like  a  savage  and  throw  clam  shells 
on  the  ground  as  we  do  here.  What  is  your 
theory?" 

"  Inherited  instinct,  I  am  inclined  to  think,"  re- 
turned Stacy,  glancing  up  the  long  stretch  of  wave- 
washed  shore,  "  and  the  habits  of  our  primal  an- 
cestors. They  lived  a  savage  life.  To  obtain, 
cook,  and  eat  food  was  their  principal  and  most 
enjoyable  occupation,  so  we,  inheriting  that  impulse 
and  pleasure,  obtain  an  unusual  satisfaction  by  im- 
itating their  way  of  living.  I  find  myself  envying 
my  men  in  their  crude  life  in  the  Bear  Hole  gorge, 
sitting  around  camp  fires  under  the  pines  each  even- 
ing as  they  do.  As  I  recall  them,  the  pleasantest 
days  of  my  life  have  been  those  spent  camping  in 
some  wilderness." 

"  You  are  much  like  father  in  that  respect," 
Hazel  answered,  smiling  at  Stacy's  animated  face. 
"  The  most  enjoyed  of  all  his  days  have  been  spent 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  421 

here,  and  he  has  always  brought  me,  if  possible, 
since  I  was  a  little  tot" 

"  This  is  a  sort  of  trysting  spot  for  you  two, 
then,  and  why  he  brought  us  all  here  for  the  camp- 
ing-out party,  I  guess." 

"Of  course,  and  it  makes  him  like  a  boy  again, 
for  which  I  am  more  than  thankful." 

"  And  my  coming  and  plans  are  to  spoil  this  spot 
for  him,"  continued  Stacy  regretfully,  glancing 
around  its  isolated  condition.  And  it  was  very 
much  so,  for  the  scattered  houses  of  Oakdale  four 
miles  up  the  opening  valley  and  Uncle  Asa's  fish- 
house  and  little  wharf  inside  the  sand  spit  were  all 
the  visible  signs  of  human  handiwork,  while  to 
right  and  left  lay  the  in-and-out  curving,  wave- 
washed  beach,  far  as  the  eye  could  see.  Not  a 
house  or  solitary  human  being  was  in  sight  along 
this  lonely  shore  with  jagged  and  serrated  bulwarks 
of  sedge-topped  sand  forming  the  inner  coast  line. 
Back  of  this  lay  a  growth  of  low  scrub  rising  to  the 
wooded  hills  and  just  now  ablaze  with  autumn  color, 
and  thousands  of  barberry  bushes  vividly  red  from 
ripened  berries. 

"  I  don't  wonder  your  father  loves  this  spot,  Miss 
Webster,"  Stacy  asserted  again  after  his  prolonged 
look  around  and  up  and  down  the  white,  glistening 


422  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

beach  with  here  and  there  a  flock  of  gulls  circling 
over  it  or  alighting  upon  a  point  of  sand,  "  for  here 
one  can  forget  the  world  and  feel  that  he  is  by  the 
world  forgot. 

"  How  does  it  affect  you,  Miss  Hazel  ? "  he 
queried  after  a  pause,  and  venturing  so  to  address 
her.  "  Pardon  my  freedom,  but  I'd  like  to  drop 
formality  and  use  your  given  name  now.  May  I  ?  " 

"  You  may  call  me  Hazel  here  or  at  home,"  she 
responded  naively  and  with  a  dreamy  glance  at  the 
yeasty  wave-wash  not  two  rods  from  where  they 
sat.  "  I,  too,  dislike  formal  addresses." 

And  just  then  Stacy,  glancing  at  her  half-averted 
face,  rose-tinted  by  the  sea  wind  and  crowned  by  a 
mobcap  of  scarlet,  below  which  a  few  locks  were 
astray,  felt  a  new  sense  of  proprietorship,  and  that 
he  had  won  a  long  step  towards  her  confidence  and 
possible  love. 

"  You  must  excuse  my  preoccupation,"  she 
averred  suddenly,  turning  toward  him  after  a  long 
pause;  "  what  were  you  asking  a  moment  ago?  " 

"  Why,  how  this  lone  and  lonely  shore  affects 
you.  How  does  it  ?  " 

"  As  you  see  " —  smiling  — "  puts  me  in  a  trance, 
a  dream,  and  makes  me  forget  my  friends,  my 
school,  everything,  and  everybody,  as  I  have  now. 
This  spot  and  mood  has  been  mine  many  times  be- 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  423 

fore,"  she  added  with  more  animation.     "  It's  been 
my  playmate,  as  it  were,  since  a  child.     Then  I  used 
to  help  father  dig  clams  or  sit  in  the  bow  of  his 
boat  and  watch  him  pull  pots  out  on  the  tossing 
billows.     Now  I  have  become  a  dreamer,  I  guess, 
for  lately  I've  let  him  go  out  alone  while  I  stay 
ashore  and  enjoy  my  trance.     I've  sat  right  here 
alone  three  long  hours  many  a  time,  and  quite  un- 
conscious of  the  lapse  of  time ;  also  quite  happy." 
"  And  would  be  now  if  alone,  I  assume?  " 
"  Why,  yes  and  no,"  glancing  at  him  with  droll 
smile.     "  I'm  glad  to  have  company,  but  I  don't 
need  it  to  be  content.     Do  you  always  ?  " 
"  I  must  also  say  yes  and  no.     I  am  not 

" '  A  hermit  soul  that  can  live  withdrawn 
To  the  place  of  its  self -content,' 

as  Sam  Walter  Foss  says.  I  can  go  to  that  solitary 
retreat  and  abide  a  few  hours  happily,  then  my 
thoughts  begin  to  bore  me  and  I  sigh  for  company 
—  a  congenial  soul  upon  whom  I  can  inflict  my 
musings." 

"  And  can  you  find  such  a  one  easily  ?  "  glancing 
at  him  with  an  amused  smile.  "  I  never  could. 
Most  people  bore  me.  I  like  them  in  a  way.  Like 
to  be  told  their  joys,  sorrows,  and  moods,  briefly 
and  for  a  time,  and  then,  presto :  after  that  they  be- 
gin to  bore  me  and  I'd  rather  be  alone." 


424  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

''  You  can  then  live  '  in  the  place  of  your  self- 
content '  and  be  happy,  I  assume?"  smiled  Stacy, 
peeping  at  her  again. 

"  Why,  yes,  to  be  perfectly  honest,  I  think  I  can. 
The  only  person  who  never  did  bore  me  is  father. 
We  go  around  together,  often  an  hour  without  once 
speaking,  and  quite  happy.  I  think  it's  because  we 
both  feel  that  we  need  not  talk  if  we  don't  want  to; 
just  be  together  or  within  sight,  that  is  all." 

"Two  hermit  souls,  eh?"  queried  Stacy,  more 
than  ever  interested  in  this  dreamy  one  beside  him. 
"  And  yet  I  envy  you  both.  It  is  a  splendid  thing 
to  be  content  without  company.  It  has  been  well 
said  that  those  who  are  good  company  to  themselves 
are  pleasant  companions  to  have,  however.  It  is  so 
with  your  father,  I  know.  I've  had  quite  a  number 
of  long  visits  with  him  and  every  moment  enjoy- 
able. How  will  it  be  between  you  and  me  should 
you  guess  ?  " 

"  That  is  easily  answered,"  she  returned  archly 
and  eyes  atwinkle  like  her  father's ;  "  we  shall  often 
almost  come  to  blows  as  we  did  that  first  evening 
when  father  interfered,  or  I  shall  bore  you  intensely. 

"  '  New  people  are  like  old  wine,'  to  quote  Emer- 
son again,"  she  continued  more  seriously.  "  They 
pique,  amuse,  interest,  or  exasperate  us  as  the  case 
may  be  for  a  time,  then  after  we  come  to  know 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  425 

them,  seem  commonplace.  All  but  a  select  few, 
who  become  friends  akin  to  us.  That  has  been  my 
experience.  Also  that  to  have  a  very  few  friends 
and  dear  ones  is  better  than  to  have  a  host  of 
acquaintances." 

"  And  mine  as  well,"  agreed  Stacy.  "  Strangers 
wear  a  halo,  friends  never  do,  and  a  hero  is  never 
one  to  his  valet.  To  become  commonplace  to  those 
we  like  and  wish  to  have  like  us  is  pitiful.  We 
want  them  to  enjoy  us,  we  desire  to  enjoy  them,  yet 
perpetually  on  guard  stands  the  Ogre  of  Satiety  and 
Commonplaceness,  an  invisible  personage  whisper- 
ing, '  Keep  apart,  lest  ye  bore  one  another.'  That  is 
your  idea,  isn't  it  ?  " 

"  In  a  way,  yes,  and  yet  not,"  she  answered  mus- 
ingly. "  I  feel  as  you  do  about  friends.  I  want 
mutual  enjoyment  to  come.  I  positively  dread  to 
feel  a  sense  of  boredom.  I  try  to  avoid  it  as  much 
as  possible.  To  that  end,  and  because  of  this  out- 
come, I  also  avoid  too  intimate  relations ;  too  close 
contact  of  mind  with  mind.  It's  far  safer  for  souls 
to  dwell  apart." 

"  The  hermit  soul  again,"  laughed  Stacy.  "  I 
shall  soon  believe  you  have  one  after  all." 

"  I  think  I  have,  too,"  she  returned  with  naive 
frankness.  "  I've  lived  alone  in  thought  since  old 
enough  to  think  for  myself.  All  my  real  friends 


426  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

who  never  bore  me  are  my  books  and  father,  so  I 
have  become  a  hermit  soul,  I  guess.  I  am  satisfied, 
however.  To  be  able  to  live  alone  contentedly  is 
to  attain  self-reliance,  and  that  is  no  easy  task. 
Can  you  ?  "  And  she  turned  her  fathomless  eyes 
full  upon  Stacy  now. 

"  No,"  he  admitted,  seeing  a  chance  to  score  a 
point;  "  if  I  could,  I  wouldn't  be  here  sitting  on  the 
sand  with  you.  I'd  be  attending  to  my  duty  at  the 
dam. 

"  And  by  the  way,"  he  added,  noting  her  slight 
flush  following  his  assertion,  "  when  are  you  to 
honor  my  new  enterprise  with  your  presence,  as  you 
promised?  Won't  you  come  up  and  inspect  it  now 
that  we  have  —  buried  the  hatchet  ?  " 

"  I  wasn't  aware  we  owned  one  of  those  ominous 
things,"  she  answered,  smiling,  "  and  I  will  visit 
your  camp  next  Saturday  morning  with  father 
and  perhaps  some  of  the  girls.  They  are  all  anx- 
ious to  see  what  you  are  doing.  When  will  it  be 
finished?" 

"  In  seven  months,  I  hope.  I  mean  to  close  the 
gates  on  my  birthday,  May  eleventh,  and  to  cele- 
brate that  by  so  doing.  I  hope  you  will  do  the 
honors  on  that  occasion  and  lower  the  gate;  also 
break  the  customary  bottle  of  wine  over  it." 

Then,  as  was  natural  with  him,  he  gave  her  a 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  427 

brief  resume  of  his  progress  and  plans  in  this  work, 
and  they  were  more  condensed  than  usual,  for  her 
hint  of  being  easily  bored  had  borne  fruit.  Then, 
returning  from  a  stroll  down  the  beach  to  watch  a 
flock  of  gulls  that  had  alighted  upon  a  bared  sand- 
bar, they  met  Uncle  Asa  just  landing  at  his  wharf. 

"  I've  had  big  luck  to-day,"  he  asserted  buoyantly, 
in  response  to  Stacy's  usual  query,  and  divesting 
himself  of  his  overalls.  "  Got  much  ez  fifty 
pounds,  'n'  saved  shorts  nuff  fer  a  good  boil. 

"  We'll  have  a  feast  now,"  he  added,  passing  the 
basket  of  lobsters  to  Stacy.  "  I'm  hungry  'nuff 
to  eat  a  mule  with  the  harness  on.  How  are  you 
children?" 

He  next  busied  himself  in  the  fire  building;  his 
big  iron  pot  was  brought  from  the  fish  house  by 
Stacy,  and  with  salt  water  in  it  was  put  over  that  to 
boil.  He  next  went  to  the  spring  to  bring  water 
for  coffee,  and  then  began  helping  Hazel  set  the 
table,  and  soon  a  most  toothsome  meal  of  those 
chicken  lobsters  with  plenty  of  butter  and  hot  cof- 
fee was  ready.  Hazel  had  also  brought  a  few 
other  delicacies-  for  dessert,  and  after  the  feast 
Uncle  Asa  hurried  away  to  dig  a  mess  of  clams,  as 
the  bared  flats  now  permitted. 

"  He  means  to  leave  us  alone  as  much  as  possi- 
ble," Stacy  asserted  to  himself,  next  hastening  away 


428  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

to  bring  more  water  for  dish-washing  use,  "  and 
bless  his  dear  old  heart  for  it!  He  is  of  the  salt 
of  the  earth,  and  all  wool  —  no,  all  silk!  And 
Hazel  ?  Well,  you  are  a  keen  one  and  no  mistake ! 
If  I  can  court  you  without  boring  you,  I'm  smart; 
that  is  all !  " 

And  Stacy  was  duly  and  decidedly  right  in  that 
surmise. 

He  smiled  at  himself  later  on,  in  fact,  laughed 
aloud  as  he  began  wiping  the  dishes  that  Hazel 
washed. 

"If  my  partner  could  see  me  now,"  he  declared 
in  response  to  her  inquiry,  "  he'd  shout  with  insane 
hilarity.  And  my  Aunt  Carrie,  mother,  I  call  her 
—  well,  she'd  want  to  kiss  you,  Miss  Hazel." 

"Would  she,  and  why?"  queried  that  little  lady 
demurely,  also  fully  conscious  how  fast  this  asser- 
tive young  man  was  becoming  enamored  of  her  own 
sweet  self. 

"  Well,  in  the  first  place,  because  she,  being  of 
rural  birth,  admires  .country-born  girls;  and  next, 
she  has  a  most  —  motherly  interest  in  me,"  re- 
sponded Stacy,  not  quite  daring  to  admit  the  truth 
or  how  anxious  his  aunt  was  he  should  win  this 
maid. 

"  Most  of  my  friends  would  laugh,  also,  to  see 
me  wiping  dishes,"  he  continued  hurriedly,  "  and 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  429 

it  is  funny,  and  the  first  time  I  ever  did  so.  I  hope 
I  may  have  the  privilege  again,  and  right  here  with 
you." 

"  I  think  we  had  better  go  and  help  father  and 
wash  his  clams  and  leave  the  dishes  to  dry,"  re- 
joined Hazel,  as  soon  as  she  handed  the  last  one  to 
Stacy,  and  to  forestall  further  love  utterances  from 
him.  "  We  are  leaving  father  to  do  all  the  hard 
work."  And  quite  oblivious  to  her  own  shoes,  she 
led  the  way  out  upon  the  clam  flats  where  he  was 
doubled  over. 

And  Stacy  felt  like  picking  her  up  and  carrying 
her;  also  like  taking  his  coat  off  for  her  to  stand 
upon.  He  forgot  his  own  boots  as  well  in  this  new 
call;  forgot  his  cuffs,  his  new  fall  suit  —  in  fact, 
forgot  everything  except  the  one  supreme  fact  that 
he  was  now  bon-comrade  with  this  exquisite  little 
lady,  and  privileged  to  call  her  Hazel.  He  also 
rushed  back  to  the  fish  house  to  bring  her  a  board 
to  stand  upon  as  soon  as  he  noticed  how  wet  the 
sand  was,  whereupon  Uncle  Asa  smiled  serenely. 

"  Nice  feller,  V  thinks  quick,  which  is  what  I 
like  in  him,"  he  ejaculated,  looking  up  to  see  what 
Stacy  was  after.  "  'N'  say,  girlie,"  he  added  ten- 
derly, "  don't  lay  up  that  deed  matter  agin  him  any 
more,  will  ye?  He  didn't  mean  no  harm,  jist 
thoughtless,  that's  all.  'N'  'member  this,  he  may 


430  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

be  bossy  'n'  sulky,  but  if  he's  handled  right,  he'll 
be  all  right.  I've  got  faith  in  him."  And  having 
thus  adjured  his  well-beloved  "  girlie  "  he  bent  to 
his  work  again. 

"  I'm  mighty  glad  we  took  the  day  off  'n'  come," 
he  asserted  a  half-hour  later,  after  all  their  belong- 
ings were  stored  in  his  small  dory,  and  Hazel,  well 
wrapped  by  Stacy,  had  taken  the  bow  seat.  "  Pow- 
erful glad,  I  tell  ye,  children.  Fust,  because  we've 
had  a  day  'n'  dinner  to  think  on,  'n'  live  over  all 
winter,  'n'  that's  some  comfort  to  me.  I  like  this 
spot,  Stacy,"  he  added,  addressing  him,  after  tak- 
ing his  seat  and  glancing  back  at  the  wave-washed 
shore.  "  Like  it  better'n  anywhere  else  in  all  the 
world.  I've  sometimes  thought  I'd  build  me  a 
shack  'n'  live  here  all  summer.  I  may  do  it  yit,  jist 
to  be  near  the  water,  'n'  hear  it  nights.  Nothin' 
like  the  lullin'  o'  the  waves  to  go  to  sleep  by,"  he 
continued  more  earnestly,  "  'speshly  when  ye  git  old 
'n'  sleep  comes  hard!  'N'  then  mornin's  here  with 
the  sun  jist  risin'  'n'  the  breeze  blowin'  in,  'n'  right 
back  in  the  bushes  birds  a-singin' !  Wai,  'cordin' 
to  my  notion,  it's  'bout  ez  near  to  heaven  ez  I'll  ever 
git.  I'd  hev  to  come  to  meetin'  once  in  a  while  to 
hear  Hazel  sing,"  he  continued  tenderly,  as  if  her 
future  was  to  be  apart  from  his.  "  'N'  o'  course 
she'll  hev  to  come  'n'  slick  the  shack  up  now  'n' 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  431 

then  'n'  hev  dinner  with  me.  Couldn't  git  along 
'thout  seein'  Hazel  once  a  week,  anyhow."  And 
then  as  if  this  quite  romantic  outcome  were  his  last 
will  and  testament,  he  bent  to  his  oars  in  sturdy 
silence. 

"  I  want  to  call  Sunday  eve ;  may  I  ?  "  queried 
Stacy  in  a  low  tone  when  he  parted  from  Hazel  at 
the  foot  of  the  lane.  And  with  her  smiling,  "  I 
shall  be  glad  to  see  you,"  he  strode  away. 

And  so  ended  a  day  that  he  never  afterwards 
recalled  without  feeling  that  it  ushered  in  a  new 
existence  for  him,  as  in  truth  it  did. 

A  quite  suggestive  and  pretty  surprise  awaited 
Hazel  in  her  parlor,  also,  for  there  in  two  vases 
were  the  three-dozen  roses  Stacy  had  ordered  sent 
to  himself,  and  which  his  partner  had  wisely  directed 
to  Miss  Hazel  Webster. 

"  They  came  this  arternoon,"  Aunt  Sally  ad- 
mitted, "  'n'  ez  the  box  said  '  flowers,'  I  put  'em  in 
water  to  keep." 

And  then  there  came  to  Hazel  a  queer  little  tug  at 
her  heart-strings,  for  what  with  all  her  father  had 
said  that  day,  and  her  fast-changing  feeling  towards 
Stacy,  it  seemed  her  own  future  was  already  deter- 
mined, as  in  a  way  it  was. 


CHAPTER  XXXV 

DID  a  box  come  for  me  to-day,  Sam ?  " 
demanded  Stacy  of  that  worthy  on  his 
return,  and  after  reading  his  partner's 
laconic  missive. 

"  No-o,"  drawled  Sam  with  a  comical  twinkle  in 
his  eyes.  "  Uncle  Levi  only  fetched  one  box  from 
the  train  to-day.  *  Big  box  o'  flowers/  he  said, 
'  fer  Hazel  Webster.'  Mebbe  it  come  from  that 
Barre  feller  ez  was  here  so  long.  He  war  kinder 
stuck  on  her,  folks  said."  And  Sam  followed  that 
assertion  with  a  droll  grin  at  Stacy. 

That  evening,  also,  with  Stacy  for  sole  companion 
—  the  Old  Guard  for  a  wonder  being  absent  —  he 
also  relieved  his  mind,  and  made  a  few  other  admis- 
sions that  in  justice  to  him  must  be  quoted. 

"  I  s'pose  you  think  my  jokes  are  kinder  hard 
on  folks,  Mr.  Whipple,"  he  began  with  as  soon  as 
Stacy  had  lighted  his  after-supper  cigar,  "  'n'  mebbe 
they  be,  but  I  don't  mean  no  harm.  Things  are 
kinder  slow  in  this  hotel  fer  me.  Nothin'  doin'  but 
see  to  the  grub  part,  tend  fires,  'n'  set  'round  waitin' 
fer  folks  to  come  'n'  go,  'n'  I  need  livenin'  up,  I 

432 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  433 

do.  Then  agin  thar's  some  o'  the  drummers  comes 
here,  they  really  need  suthin  to  show  'em  we  ain't 
asleep  ef  we  don't  hev  our  hair  cut  once  a  week. 
I  like  the  drummers;  most  on  'em  are  slickers,  full 
o'  fun,  sharper'n  tacks,  square's  a  brick,  'n'  allus 
pay.  They  all  lay  f  er  me,  though,  knowin'  my  ways 
'n',  b'gosh,  they  ketch  me  now  'n'  then.  Thar  war 
one  on  'em  did  once,  mighty  cute,  too,  'n'  scared 
me  so  I  bit  my  tongue.  He  war  a  cigar  drummer 
name  o'  Cady,  Byron  Cady,  'n'  the  funniest  story 
teller  on  the  pike.  Allus  got  two  or  three  new  ones, 
'n'  kin  tell  'em  jist  right,  too.  Wai,  he  come  'long 
with  one  o'  them  loaded  cigars  he'd  had  made  fer 
me,  fixed  with  a  spring  inside  so  when  it  burned  an 
inch  the  spring'ud  spread  'n'  rip  it  all  to  pieces  right 
under  your  nose.  *  Sam,'  he  said  that  evenin'  when 
we  was  all  'round  the  fire,  '  I  got  a  new  brand  o' 
clear  Havana,  Sumatra  wrapper,  that'll  jist  suit  ye. 
'n'  yer  trade,  'n'  I  want  ye  to  try  one.'  Then  he 
goes  to  his  case,  opens  it  front  o'  me,  takes  the  cigar 
out  o'  a  box  full  'n'  o'  course  I  lit  it,  fer  when  he 
gives  ye  a  cigar  it's  allus  a  good  un.  Wai,  then  I 
tilted  back  in  my  chair  'n'  he  begins  tellin'  a  funny 
story  'bout  a  Frenchman  who  run  a  ferry  boat,  'n' 
he  kin  hit  off  them  Frenchies'  lingo  talk  so  ye'll 
split  a-laughin' !  Wai,  I  war  pullin'  at  that  cigar 
jist  ez  he  got  to  the  funny  part,  'n'  then  it  went  off 


434  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

'n'  over  I  went  back'ards,  kerwhack,  'n'  he  'n'  the 
whole  bunch  jist  roared  fer  ten  minutes. 

"  Wai,  o'  course  I  took  it  good-natured ;  I  had  to, 
but  I  laid  fer  Cady,  'n'  the  next  time  he  come  'long 
I  was  ready  with  'bout  a  dozen  blue  crabs  I  got 
down  the  crick.  Now  a  blue  crab,  Mr.  Whipple,  ez 
ye  may  not  know,  is  a  little  cuss  'bout  two  inches 
broad  with  claws  sharp  ez  needles,  'most,  'n'  he  kin 
use  'em  quicker'n  scat,  'n'  bite  hard  ez  a  big  lobster. 
Wai,  Cady,  he's  a  slick  dresser,  never  goes  out  even- 
in's  'thout  his  top  coat  'n'  gloves  on,  'n'  the  next 
time  he  come,  'n'  when  he  put  on  his  coat  to  go  call 
on  Bascom,  ez  I  knew  he  would,  thar  wa'n't  no 
gloves  in  his  pockets,  but  them  crabs  was.  O' 
course  I  cal'lated  Cady  ud  feel  fer  them  gloves  'n' 
ketch  crabs,  but  it  didn't  somehow  work.  He  put 
his  coat  on  back  o'  the  desk  in  the  office  whar  he'd 
hung  it  back  o'  the  door,  wa'n't  over  a  minute  'bout 
it,  'n'  walked  out  smilin'.  He'll  find  them  crabs 
perty  soon,  I  says  to  myself,  chucklin',  'n'  then 
thar'll  be  suthin  doin'.  I  waited  'most  an  hour, 
then  needin'  a  chew  went  to  my  coat  hangin'  in  the 
office,  too,  ez  I'd  left  a  plug  o'  tobaccer  in  an  out- 
side pocket,  'n'  by  crackee,  I  got  pinched  by  three  o' 
them  crabs  quicker'n  scat!  'N'  by  gosh,  they  took 
holt  right  sharp,  they  did! 

"  The  worst  on't  was  I  gin  a  yip  'fore  I  thought 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  435 

V  threw  one  'o  them  crabs  over  the  desk,  'n'  the 
hull  crowd  I'd  posted  up  ketched  on,  'n'  the  laugh 
was  on  me.  'N'  how  they  roared!  I  had  to  set 
'em  up  all  round,  'n'  when  Cady  come  in  they  told 
>him  I'd  bin  chewin'  blue  crabs  fer  a  change,  'n'  it 
cost  me  'nother  round." 

Sam  was  a  voluble  talker  as  well  as  inveterate 
joker,  and  while  Stacy's  thoughts  were  now  on 
Hazel  and  the  sweet  illusion  of  love,  instead  of 
Sam's  yarns,  he  had  to  listen  to  them  for  an  hour. 

Next  morning,  and  a  beautiful  October  one, 
Stacy  joined  the  Sunday  worshippers  then  entering 
the  largest  church  where  Hazel  sang  and  here  a  sur- 
prise awaited  him,  for  on  its  altar  stood  a  vase  of 
beautiful  American  Beauty  roses! 

"  My  contribution  to  her,"  he  thought,  "  and  she 
brought  them  up  this  morning,  bless  her!  And 
Bert  was  wise  to  send  them  to  her  direct  after  all." 
Then  smiled  softly,  as  he  now  recalled  his  laconic 
letter. 

He  watched  for  Hazel's  piquant  face  to  rise 
above  the  choir  curtains,  felt  himself  transported 
to  that  "  Beautiful  Land  on  High  "  she  sang  as  a 
solo  later  on,  and  felt  almost  a  sense  of  ownership 
in  her  now,  and  that  his  future  held  a  new  and 
wondrously  sweet  charm.  He  waited  for  her  to 
come  out  this  time,  received  a  slight  bow  and  cordial 


436  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

"  Good  morning  "  as  she  passed  him  on  the  steps, 
then  crossed  to  the  hotel,  conscious  that  many  of 
that  congregation  had  observed  this  recognition  and 
were  positive  he  was  now  Hazel's  "  beau."  Also 
quite  proud  to  be  so  considered,  as  well  he  might 
be! 

Somehow,  also,  the  rest  of  the  day  seemed  in- 
terminable. He  hied  himself  away  over  the  hills 
to  his  camp  after  dinner,  halted  to  reconnoiter 
Hazel's  home  on  the  way,  took  a  look  around  the 
works  and  at  his  men,  now  lounging  under  the  pines, 
smoking  or  asleep,  returned  and  wrote  a  lengthy 
letter  to  his  partner,  also  one  to  his  worthy  aunt; 
and  then  after  the  manner  of  all  lovers,  hastened  to 
the  home  of  his  charmer  as  early  that  evening  as  he 
dared. 

His  reception  was  in  line  with  his  feelings,  for 
that  occult  little  lady,  conscious  that  she  owed  him 
quite  a  debt  of  gratitude  for  all  he  had  done,  meant 
to  be  charming  and  favor  him  with  an  enjoyable 
evening ;  also  realizing  that  her  pique  over  the  deed 
matter  had  been  largely  imaginary.  He  found  a 
bright  fire  adding  cheer  to  the  soft-shaded,  lamp-lit 
parlor,  a  portion  of  his  gift  of  roses  conspicuous 
upon  the  center-table,  one  half -open  one  in  her 
glossy  crown  of  braided  hair,  and  herself  in  rose- 
tinted  gown  adding  a  smiling  welcome.  And  just 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  437 

now  after  the  usual  greetings  and  when  both  were 
seated  on  opposite  sides  of  the  fire,  she  seemed  to 
him  the  most  exquisitely  beautiful  little  lady  in  all 
the  wide  world !  While  she  —  well,  just  then  it 
seemed  that  he  made  her  parlor  seem  smaller! 

For  a  man  of  his  physique,  sturdy  and  forceful, 
always  commanded  her  respect. 

"  I  thank  you  most  gratefully  for  the  beautiful 
roses  I  found  awaiting  me  last  evening,"  she  said 
first  of  all,  "  and  they  were  such  a  surprise." 

"  I'm  glad  they  came  on  time,"  Stacy  returned, 
smiling;  "  also  that  you  were  thoughtful  enough  to 
add  charm  to  the  church  by  a  part  of  them.  And 
by  the  way,"  wishing  to  check  further  allusion  to 
his  gift,  "  where  did  you  find,  or  who  is  the  author 
of  that  solo  you  rendered  so  charmingly?  It  is  a 
gem  and  new  to  me.  It  just  lifted  me  right  into  the 
pearly  city  we  all  hope  to  reach." 

"  Oh,  that  '  Beautiful  Land  on  High  '  ?  "  smiled 
Hazel.  "  Its  author  is  a  Mrs.  A.  H.  Taylor,  and 
it  is  my  favorite.  It  carries  just  the  mood  I  love 
best  in  church  music,  faith  and  hope  combined,  with- 
out the  minor  funereal  tone  I  so  dislike." 

"  It  certainly  carried  me  where  I  heard  angels' 
wings  rustling  and  saw  them  smiling,"  returned 
Stacy.  "  I  shall  expect  it  next  Sunday  again." 

"  Becoming  converted,   are  you  ? "   queried   she 


438  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

archly.  "  Mr.  Upson  will  be  delighted.  Shall  I 
speak  to  him  ?  " 

"  Yes,  if  you  like,  and  tell  him  if  you  can  be  per- 
suaded to  sing  all  the  time,  I  will  join  his  church  at 
once." 

"  And  he  have  no  voice  ?  No  chance  to  preach  ? 
That  would  break  his  heart.  He  believes  his  ser- 
mons are  all  saving  grace,  especially  those  upon  his 
favorite  theme :  the  doom  of  all  sinners.  You  don't 
admire  such,  I  once  heard  you  assert." 

"  No,"  responded  Stacy  bluntly,  "  I  do  not. 
Brimstone  Corner  is  out  of  date  now.  Hope  and 
Faith  are  all  right  and  lovely,  but  the  theory  of  a 
God  who  would  punish  eternally  is  an  outrage 
upon  the  highest  conceptions  of  Him!  But  pardon 
me,  religious  discussions  should  be  tabooed  outside 
of  a  pulpit.  We  once  came  near  a  quarrel  upon 
that  subject.  I'd  rather  hear  you  sing." 

"  Then  you  consider  women  should  be  merely 
entertaining,"  smiling  suavely.  "  Not  have  opin- 
ions, I  infer?  " 

"  Hardly  that.  I  believe  they  should  be  enter- 
taining and  always  charming,  if  possible.  But  an 
acrid  discussion  upon  religious  opinions  is  both 
futile  and  unwise.  It  is  a  case  of  every  one  having 
a  right  to  his  own  opinion  so  long  as  it  agrees  with 
ours.  Otherwise  not," 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  439 

"  To  agree  not  to  disagree,  look  pleasant,  smile 
and  sing,  but  have  no  opinions  is  our  proper  role, 
you  think?  To  be  a  mush  of  concession?  " 

"On  the  subject  of  religion,  yes;  on  all  others, 
no,"  he  returned  as  suavely.  "  A  lady  who  has  no 
opinion  is  usually  a  bore.  I  want  them  to  give  me 
battle  on  any  and  all  topics  except  religion." 

"And  why  not  that?"  she  persisted.  "Why 
shouldn't  we  discuss  that  ?  " 

"  Simply  because  it's  a  personal  conviction,  a 
matter  of  blind  faith  upon  which  arguments  are 
wasted.  I  do  not  apply  that  to  you  fair  ones  espe- 
cially, I  mean  among  men  also. 

"  You  spoke  yesterday  about  people  boring  you 
so  easily,"  he  added  after  a  moment's  interim,  and 
smiling.  "  I  should  hate  to  do  so.  I  certainly  wish 
to  be  entertaining,  yet  from  what  you  said  I  feel  I, 
too,  may  become  wearisome  as  soon  as  you  know  me 
better." 

"  Possibly,"  she  answered  with  perfect  candor, 
"  but  I  hope  not.  It's  the  bane  of  my  life  to  feel 
tas  I  said.  I  hate  to  do  so.  I'd  far  rather  like 
'everybody,  enjoy  everything  they  said,  but  I  cannot. 
I  never  should  have  admitted  what  I  did,  however. 
Please  forget  it.  To  blurt  out  my  own  opinion  is 
one  of  my  serious  failings,  and  loses  me  friends." 

"  It  is  apt  to  antagonize  them,  as  I  have  found 


440  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

myself.  But  you  haven't  answered  my  question. 
How  can  I  avoid  boring  you  as  so  many  do  ?  " 

"  You  can't,  if  you  ever  should  " —  almost  defi- 
antly. "  No  one  can.  It's  fate,  that  is  all." 

"  Or  affinity  ?  "  he  interrupted. 

"  No,  I  do  not  believe  in  affinity  —  in  no  way, 
shape  or  manner,"  flushing  slightly.  "  I  positively 
abominate  that  word  or  its  significance.  No  two 
people  ever  were  created  for  one  another!  If  they 
meet  and  agree  or  get  along  peaceably  they  are 
fortunate,  and  it  is  usually  due  to  mutual  effort  to 
that  end." 

As  this  assertion,  so  near  his  own  opinion,  needed 
no  response,  Stacy  made  none,  but  glanced  at  the 
fire  while  his  thoughts  reverted  to  another  one  of 
driftwood  a  few  weeks  previous  and  how  he  lay  be- 
side it  in  surly  meditation. 

"  A  penny  for  your  thoughts  ?  "  Hazel  queried 
curiously,  and  watching  him.  "  Where  are  you 
now  ?  " 

"  Do  you  want  to  know  the  truth  ?  "  glancing  at 
her  again  and  smiling.  "Well,  I  was  back  beside 
that  campfire  on  the  beach  four  weeks  ago,  no,  five, 
and  recalling  how  hurt  I  felt  over  your  coldness." 

"  I'm  sorry,"  in  cooing  tone,  "  but  you  can't 
blame  me  now?  And  —  and  I've  tried  to  make 
amends,  haven't  I  ?  Please  forget  it !  " 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  441 

"  Retrospection  of  any  mood  is  a  waste  of  time 
I  find,"  asserted  Stacy.  "  We  cannot  live  a  day,  an 
hour,  even  one  moment  over  again. 

"  There  is  something  else  comes  to  me,  also," 
he  continued,  ignoring  the  other  matter.  "'Your 
father's  romantic  notion,  and  how  he  enjoys  such 
outings,  like  an  enthusiastic  boy.  It's  wonderful 
in  a  man  of  his  age,  and  I  love  him  for  it.  And 
what  an  almost  pathetic  wish  of  his  yesterday  to 
go  there  and  live  alone  summers,  just  to  hear  the 
ocean's  lullaby  at  night,  and  see  it  close  by  every 
morning.  Do  you  ever  feel  that  way  ?  " 

"  Sometimes,  quite  often,  in  fact,"  she  returned 
dreamily,  now  down  beside  the  sea  herself.  "  Only, 
the  ocean's  voice  and  a  lonely,  wave-washed  shore 
sadden  me  inexpressibly.  It  moves  me  to  tears 
sometimes  when  I  sit  beside  it  alone.  To  pass  one 
night  there  without  company,  no,  thank  you !  Not 
for  me! 

"  Its  mood  is  grand,  uplifting,  and  dwarfs  all 
petty  cares,  however,"  she  added  with  more  elation, 
"  makes  me  forget  myself  entirely." 

And  just  then,  as  if  the  coincidence  had  been 
planned,  the  tall  clock  began  chiming  ten  and  Aunt 
Sally  entered,  bearing  a  tray  of  refreshments,  said 
"  Good  evening,  sir  "  to  Stacy,  placed  the  tray  upon 
a  small  table  and  left  the  room.  After  this  tete-a- 


442  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

tete  lunch  had  been  enjoyed  by  him  he  needs  must, 
as  he  did,  persuade  Hazel  to  favor  him  with  her 
auto-harp;  next,  and  as  a  Sunday  evening  finale,  to 
sing  "  There  is  a  Beautiful  Land  on  High  "  again. 
And  then  he  rose  to  go. 

And  now  came  a  queer  little,  half -coquettish  in- 
quiry from  Hazel :  "  Do  you  think  I  am  combative 
in  conversation,  and  disposed  to  argue,"  she  asked 
smilingly,  "strong-minded,  in  fact?" 

"  Oh,  no,  no,  nothing  of  the  sort,"  assuringly. 
"  I  like  an  argument,  not  a  '  mush  of  concession.' 
Why  do  you  ask  ?  " 

"  Because  of  what  you  said  about  religion,  and 
not  to  discuss  it.  I  believe  you  are  right  in  that. 
I  hope  you  do  not  class  me  as  strong-minded,  how- 
ever." 

"  Why,  bless  your  dear  heart,  no,  certainly  not," 
he  reiterated  boldly.  "  You  couldn't  be  anything 
but  sweet  and  charming  if  you  tried.  And  now 
with  thanks  for  this  delightful  evening,  when  may 
I  have  another  ?  " 

"  Any  time  you  want  an  argument  upon  any  sub- 
ject except  religion,"  smiling  archly.  "  As  father 
says,  our  latchstring  is  always  out." 

More  than  that,  and  as  if  to  send  him  away 
happy,  she  followed  him  to  the  porch  and  stood  to 
comment  upon  the  cool,  crisp  evening,  and  how  sug- 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  443 

gestive  of  coming  winter  the  dry,  rustling  leaves 
were. 

"  Remember,"  he  said  as  a  final  word,  "  you  are 
to  visit  me  and  my  camp  next  Saturday.  And  why 
can't  we  take  a  drive  in  the  afternoon?  You  make 
your  official  visit  in  the  morning  and  we  go  driv- 
ing in  the  afternoon?  As  I  am  to  become  a  tem- 
porary resident  here,  I'd  like  to  explore  my  sur- 
roundings. 

"  Bless  her  dear  little  heart,  she  can  be  winsome 
if  she  tries,"  he  assured  himself,  now  striding  away, 
unconscious  his  feet  touched  the  earth.  "  Also 
saucy,  aggravating,  captivating,  argumentative,  and 
piquant,  all  in  one!  I'm  a  goner,  though,  and  it's 
yes  or  no  some  day." 


CHAPTER  XXXVI 

A  DETAILED  courtship  would  be  a  mo^ 
notonous  recital,  and  that  of  the  elusive 
Hazel  and  imperious,  self-reliant  Stacy 
more  so,  for  there  was  no  opposition.  Her  father, 
in  spite  of  his  optimistic  faith  in  the  honesty  and 
goodness  of  all  humanity,  was  yet  shrewd  enough 
to  measure  Stacy's  attributes  and  see  his  many  ex- 
cellent qualities.  He  also  knew  that  the  best  that 
could  happen  to  his  well  beloved  "  girlie  "  was  to 
win  a  life  protector,  and  he  had  faith  that  Stacy 
would  prove  such  a  one.  As  already  disclosed,  he 
had  said  and  done  all  he  could  to  bring  them  to- 
gether, and  now  as  this  result  appeared  probable, 
he  was  well  content. 

Stacy,  also,  as  Sam  asserted  at  first,  was 
"  tendin'  right  to  the  gal  "  on  all  probable  or  oppor- 
tune occasions.  When  Wednesday  evening  came 
again,  it  found  him  in  her  quaint  old  parlor  enjoy- 
ing the  cigar  she  insisted  that  he  smoke.  The  next 
inevitable  Thursday  evening  prayer  meeting,  whose 
hymn-singing  was  under  her  direction,  found  him 

444 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  445 

an  attendant,  and  he  walked  proudly  away  with  her 
as  escort,  followed  by  the  envious  glances  of  other 
girls,  and  the  smiles,  nods  and  "  I  told  you  so's  "  of 
all  the  old  ladies. 

And  this  very  fact,  that  Hazel,  as  she  did  now, 
accepted  his  proffered  company  home  with  a  smil- 
ing nod,  assured  him  that  she  was  quite  willing  to 
have  him  recognized  as  her  "  beau." 

"  We  are  marked  as  keeping  company  now,"  he 
said  to  her  on  this  occasion  as  they  walked  away; 
"  do  you  care  ?  " 

"  No,  I  am  not  any  more  ashamed  of  it  than 
you  are,"  she  returned  facetiously,  "  and  really  it 
is  very  nice  of  you,  for  it  has  been  a  lonely  walk 
home  for  me." 

When  Saturday  came  —  and  fortunate  for  both, 
a  warm  and  pleasant  one  —  Hazel  with  four  of  her 
girl  friends  and  her  father  for  escort,  paid  their 
promised  visit  to  Stacy's  camp  to  see  how  fast  his 
work  was  progressing.  That  was  of  keen  and 
especial  interest  to  Hazel,  for  all  around  and  out 
in  the  morass  of  Bear  Hole  Swamp,  axes  were  ring- 
ing, trees  crashing  as  they  fell,  while  nearer  to  them, 
below  —  in  fact  —  came  the  sharp  click  of  stone 
masons'  hammers  and  chisels  squaring  stones,  the 
creak  of  a  derrick  swinging  them  into  place,  and  the 
shouts  of  men  driving  oxen.  The  long,  narrow,  ten- 


446  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

foot-high  barracks  which  its%double  row  of  cot  beds, 
enough  for  the  hundred  men,  was  next  inspected, 
also  the  cooking-  and  dining-rooms  under  the  same 
tarred-paper  roof,  and  last  of  all,  Stacy's  office,  a 
six-foot-square  shanty  at  one  corner  of  this. 

"  It's  quite  a  contract  to  feed  so  many  men,  and 
keep  them  working  effectively,"  he  said  to  the  girls 
after  they  had  romped  about  and  exclaimed  over 
everything,  girl-like ;  "  and  evenings  here  are  quite 
picturesque  with  a  dozen  campfires  going  under  the 
pine  trees,  and  men  lounging  and  smoking  around 
them.  We  have  music,  too,"  he  added,  smiling  at 
Hazel,  "  of  a  sort,  at  least,  for  two  or  three  play 
banjoes,  there  are  a  couple  of  accordions,  several 
mouth  organs,  and  one  old  fellow  plays  the  fiddle. 
An  incongruous  medley  of  instruments,  yet  not  so 
bad  either,  with  firelight  and  canopy  of  pines  to  add 
romance.  There  are  several  fairly  good  singers 
in  the  bunch,  two  darkies  especially,  and  some 
evening  I'd  like  to  bring  you  girls  over  to  hear  and 
see  the  fun,  or  usual  concert,  unbeknown  to  them." 

The  afternoon  drive  in  Sam's  best,  in  fact,  the 
only  modern  top  buggy  in  Oakdale,  was  most  en- 
joyable to  Stacy,  however,  for  now  he  had  the 
charming  Hazel  all  to  himself.  They  first  drove 
to  the  shore,  reaching  it  by  a  mere  path  through  the 
bordering  scrub  oaks,  then  as  the  tide  was  out, 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  447 

trotting  upon  the  hard  sand  for  a  five-mile  stretch 
and  close  to  the  gentle  wave-wash,  returning 
through  a  long  and  winding,  woods-bordered, 
seldom-traveled  road. 

"  It's  woods,  woods  everywhere,"  Stacy  re- 
marked, after  an  hour  of  this,  "  and  Oakdale  is  the 
most  hid-away  village  I  ever  found.  For  that  rea- 
son, it  is  charming  in  summer.  My  plans,  and  the 
possible  influx  of  new  people,  will  spoil  it,"  he  con- 
tinued regretfully,  "  spoil  it  for  all  time.  Spoil 
that  cozy  little  harbor  where  no  one  goes  except 
your  father,  spoil  the  pretty  beach  where  we 
camped,  the  long  sand  spit  in  front  of  his  fish 
house,  and  Oakdale  with  its  village  green,  its  restful 
quietude;  its  two  churches  and  your  brown  school- 
house  will  be  no  more.  You  will  be  sorry,  won't 
you,  Hazel  ?  "  he  queried,  thus  addressing  her  for 
the  first  time.  "  Sorry  I  ever  came  to  Oakdale, 
won't  you  ?  " 

"  For  that  reason,  yes,  in  a  way,"  she  answered 
frankly,  "  and  yet  it  can't  be  helped.  If  you  hadn't 
come  to  upset  our  sleepy  town,  someone  else  would 
—  in  time,  I  presume.  And  then " —  after  a 
pause  — "  I  don't  believe  I  have  quite  appreciated 
Oakdale's  charm  until  now  that  you  say  it  must  be 
spoiled.  A  case  of  how  blessings  brighten  as  they 
take  their  flight.  To  me,  always  living  here, 


448  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

it  has  seemed  lonesome  and  humdrum.  But  you 
—  you  need  not  upset  us  unless  you  insist,"  she 
added,  glancing  curiously  at  him;  "you  can  build 
your  dam  and  power  house,  we  shall  have  a  pretty 
;  lake  in  place  of  that  swamp,  and  you  can  let  it 
go  at  that,  can't  you  ?  " 

"  Of  course,  and  would  you  like  to  have  me?  " 

"  Perhaps,  and  perhaps  not,"  she  rejoined 
evasively.  "  In  fact,  I've  not  understood  just  what 
you  really  expected  to  do,  only  what  father  said 
might  happen,  shops  built,  and  more  people  come 
here  to  live,  and  work  in  them." 

And  then  to  interest  and  enlighten  his  charmer, 
Stacy  began  and  built  his  air-castle  city  over  again. 

"  It  looks  pretty  —  in  the  air,"  she  responded, 
smiling,  after  his  city  was  thus  built  and  trolley 
cars  running,  "  and  is  probably  a  creditable  ambi- 
tion on  your  part.  But,  and  you  must  excuse  me, 
I  don't  believe  you  will  live  long  enough  to  see  it. 
I  hope  you  may,  however.  Your  heart  seems  set 
upon  it." 

"  A  case  of  aiming  at  a  star  and  hitting  a  sheep 
barn,"  laughed  Stacy,  rather  pleased  at  her  frank- 
ness. "  But  I  shall  hope  to  interest  you  in  time, 
shall  keep  on  trying,  anyhow,"  and  then  he  chir- 
ruped to  the  horse  and  drove  on. 

It  was  just  sunset  when  they  emerged  from  the 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  449 

woods  on  a  hilltop  overlooking  Oakdale.  To  the 
left  was  the  opening  vista  of  the  V-shaped  valley 
ending  at  the  bordering  ocean.  Just  below  was 
Hazel's  home,  peeping  out  from  a  thicket  of  yel- 
low and  scarlet  foliage;  to  the  right  the  village 
group  of  houses,  hotel  and  two  churches  around  an 
open  green,  and  across  this  vale  were  enclosing  hills 
ablaze  with  autumn  color. 

Somehow,  too,  just  now  as  Stacy  halted  his  horse 
to  survey  this  panorama,  Hazel's  half-hearted  ap- 
proval of  his  plan  recurred  to  him.  Life  here  was 
peaceful  to  her  as  to  the  rest.  They  were  all,  as 
Uncle  Asa  had  asserted,  neither  rich  nor  poor,  but 
content,  which  meant  more.  And  why  spoil  this 
peaceful  life,  why  upset  this  hamlet  by  the  build- 
ing of  shops  and  inducing  an  alien  population  to 
come  and  crowd  themselves  into  it?  He  did  not 
need  the  money  he  might  make  by  this  innovation? 
His  business  in  Albion  was  prospering?  Why  not 
abandon  his  air  castle  and  save  Oakdale  for  a  sum- 
mer home  for  Hazel  and  himself  —  if  he  won  her? 

"  What  you  said  or  didn't  say  has  made  me 
almost  sorry  I've  planned  to  build  a  city  here,"  he 
said,  glancing  at  her.  "  And  I've  half  a  notion  to 
let  it  drop.  Would  you  advise  it,  or  rather  do  you 
wish  I  would  ?  " 

"  Why,  that  is  a  serious  question,"  she  returned, 


450  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

flushing  at  the  consciousness  of  how  important  her 
own  opinions  were  becoming  to  him.  "  I  don't  like 
what  they  call  factory  towns,  made  up  of  poor  mill 
operatives,  and  if  you  plan  to  make  this  such  a  one 
—  well,  I  wish  you  wouldn't  do  it." 

"  I  don't  plan  for  that,"  anxiously,  "  not  a  cotton- 
mill  town.  Only  to  induce  other  industries,  those 
that  employ  higher-priced  labor,  to  locate  here,  and 
also  give  employment  to  Oakdale  people." 

"But  you  can't  pick  and  choose,  can  you?  If 
someone  wants  to  build  a  cotton  mill  here,  he  can, 
can't  he?" 

"Why,  yes  —  if  we  rent  the  power,  of  course. 
Otherwise  not." 

"And  can  you  dictate  that?" 

"  I  shall,"  he  returned  forcibly,  "  unless  I  aban- 
don the  plan  entirely  to  —  to  please  you." 

And  just  then  he  came  near  adding  what  would 
have  meant  a  proposal  of  marriage. 

"  Well,  we  must  be  going  on,  or  you  will  be  late 
home  to  supper,"  he  continued  hurriedly,  with  a 
toss  of  the  reins,  and  "  Go  on,"  to  Sam's  sedate 
nag. 

A  sudden  heart-leap  came  to  Hazel  also  at  this 
moment,  for  she,  keen  to  read  others'  moods  and 
thoughts,  understood  his  mood  perfectly  now,  and 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  451 

saw  that  in  the  near  future  she  must  give  the  "  yes  " 
or  "  no  "  that  was  to  dominate  her  future  life. 

But  was  she  willing  to  make  it  "  yes  "  ? 

And  just  then  as  they  turned  down  the  road  to 
her  home,  her  father's  almost  pathetic  assertion  of 
how  he  wished  to  pass  his  remaining  years  re- 
curred to  her.  Also  her  own  firm  resolve  to  abide 
by  him  and  care  for  him  as  long  as  he  lived.  A 
queer,  and  quite  new  thrill  came  as  Stacy  practically 
lifted  her  out  of  the  carriage,  and  his  "  Good-bye, 
Hazel,  and  thank  you,  too,"  in  response  to  her 
"  Thank  you  for  the  ride,"  also  set  her  heart 
a-flutter. 

A  little  sense  of  guilt  followed  this  new  wave 
of  feeling  when  she  found  her  father  had  been 
waiting  supper  for  her  almost  an  hour,  and  his 
smiling,  "  Wai,  I  hope  you've  had  a  pleasant  time 
this  arternoon,  girlie;  these  days  won't  last  long," 
only  added  to  it.  And  then  it  occurred  to  her  that 
she  had  entirely  forgotten  him,  home,  her  school 
and  all  else  in  her  life,  during  the  five  hours  she 
had  been  driving  with  Stacy ! 

"  I  have  enjoyed  my  ride  very  much,"  she  as- 
sured him  as  they  sat  down  to  supper.  "  We  drove 
the  whole  length  of  Long  Beach,  up  to  the  Barre 
road,  and  all  around  Oakdale.  He  is  a  very  in- 


452  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

teresting  talker,  and  do  you  know,  father,  he  is 
almost  sorry  he  has  planned  to  build  shops  here 
and,  as  I  think,  spoil  Oakdale." 

"  But  think  o'  the  money  he'll  make  out  on't," 
rejoined  her  father,  smiling  at  her  naive  admission, 
" 'n'  'twon't  spile  Oakdale,  either;  jist  give  folks  a 
chance  to  make  a  better  livin'  than  farmin'." 

She  was  unusually  tender  to  her  father  that 
evening,  also.  Brought  him  his  slippers,  smoking 
jacket,  and  even  cleaned  out  and  filled  his  cob  pipe 
for  him  in  the  sitting-room,  then  brought  her  auto- 
harp  and  played  all  his  favorite  airs. 

A  few  days  later,  in  fact,  the  next  Wednesday 
evening  when  Stacy  called,  he  suggested,  as  the 
moon  was  now  favorable,  that  they  make  a  visit  to 
his  camp. 

"  We  can  keep  out  of  sight  of  the  men,"  he  as- 
sured her.  "  They  will  all  be  gathered  around  the 
fires,  and  from  a  vantage  point  I  know  up  on  one 
of  the  hills  we  can  look  down  and  see  or  hear 
what  is  doing."  And  glad  so  to  reconnoiter  this 
crew  of  strange  men,  Hazel  put  on  a  wrap,  took 
Stacy's  arm,  and  they  followed  the  identical  up- 
ward path  that  had  brought  him  to  her  five  months 
previous ! 

"  Here,"  he  said,  soon  halting  under  a  big  pine 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  453 

beside  the  path,  "  is  where  I  first  heard  your  auto- 
harp  the  day  I  found  you  —  and  thought  it  spirit 
music.  I'm  going  to  cut  our  initials  in  this  tree 
some  day  when  I  find  time,  just  to  commemorate 
that  fortunate  fact,"  then  continued  as  if  her  con- 
sent were  assured. 

"  How  like  fairyland  and  what  a  bewitchment 
moonlight  falling  through  pine  trees  has,"  he  added, 
as  they  kept  on  along  the  velvety  path,  "  and  how 
pretty.  A  sort  of  weird  mysticism  in  it,  ethereal 
and  spectral  in  a  way,  but  fascinating." 

"  I  wouldn't  care  to  come  up  here  alone,"  re- 
joined Hazel,  clinging  to  his  arm  a  little  closer. 
"  I'd  imagine  ghosts  might  be  lurking  here  in  the 
shadows." 

"  Do  you  believe  in  them  ? "  queried  Stacy 
curiously. 

"Why  no-o,  not  exactly,"  hesitating  a  little, 
"  and  yet,  believing  in  a  future  existence  as  I  do 
—  well,  it's  not  easy  to  separate  faith  in  that  from 
ghost  legends  or  the  fact  so  many  do  believe  in 
them.  Sensible  and  intelligent  people,  too,  like  our 
Aunt  Sally.  She  is  positive  that  they  are  seen  occa« 
sionally.  What  is  your  opinion?  " 

"  All  imagination  or  superstition,"  he  rejoined 
briskly,  "  and  a  relic  of  bygone  times  when  people 


454  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

believed  in  incantations,  sorcery,  witchcraft,  and  all 
that  sort  of  thing.  It's  what  we  can't  see  in  this 
world  that  scares  us  —  our  imagination." 

But  a  queer  medley  of  sound,  the  plink  of  a  banjo, 
the  click  of  bones,  and  a  scuffle  of  feet  dancing  upon 
a  board,  that  now  came  to  them  adown  the  somber, 
moonlit,  pine-filled  gorge,  ended  this  discussion,  and 
soon,  piloted  by  Stacy  to  his  vantage  point  above 
them,  Hazel  saw  a  red-shirted  negro  dancing  upon 
a  square  of  board  in  front  of  a  fire,  while  another 
seated  on  a  rock  picked  and  swept  his  fingers 
across  a  banjo  with  all  the  force  and  abandon  of  his 
race.  A  white  boy  was  shaking  a  pair  of  castanets, 
two  score  men  squatting  around  were  clapping 
hands  in  time,  while  grouped  about  these  in  all 
positions  was  the  camp's  entire  crew.  A  shout  and 
hand-clapping  rewarded  the  dancer  when  he 
stopped,  a  white  man  took  his  place,  and  so  for 
a  half  hour  this  unique  exhibition  went  on.  Next, 
after  a  brief  interim  of  mingled  voices  and  laughter 
too  distant  to  be  heard  by  the  listening  ones,  the 
banjoist  swept  his  fingers  across  the  strings  and 
Hazel  heard  what  to  her  was  a  rare  treat,  that  old 
plantation  hymn,  "  Roll,  Jordan  Roll,"  sung  as  only 
a  negro  can  sing  it  beside  a  campfire  at  night  with 
fifty  other  voices  joining  in  the  chorus ! 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  455 

And  how  it  swelled  and  rose  and  rolled  up 
through  the  canopy  of  pine  boughs !  How  its  wild 
and  weird  refrain  rilled  that  shadowy  moonlit  gorge, 
echoed  across  from  hill  to  hill,  pulsed  and  throbbed 
in  the  still  night  air  with  all  the  hope  and  cry  for 
help  from  a  race  of  slaves  that  has  made  it  famous ! 

After  that  came  another  of  similar  tenor,  "  Good 
Lord,  Remember  Me,"  and  then  as  if  love  were 
the  first,  last,  and  best  emotion  of  all,  this  big  red- 
shirted  artist  rendered  two  of  Hazel's  favorites 
— "  My  Gum  Tree  Canoe "  and  "  Suwanee 
River." 

"  I've  tried  to  feel  and  throw  the  real  spirit  of 
those  songs  into  them,"  she  whispered  to  Stacy, 
when  a  pause  came,  "  but  I  can't  sing  them  as  he 
does." 

And  then  presto  —  and  bearing  both  listeners 
back  to  their  first  moment  of  meeting  —  up  came 
that  sweetest  of  all  plantation  songs,  "  Don't  You 
Hear  Dem  Bells  A-Ringing?  " 

And  that,  now  sung  in  softly-modulated  tenor 
voice,  almost  carried  the  charm  of  Hazel's  auto- 
harp  in  its  bell-like  chords,  and  soft  tinkling  notes 
wafted  up  through  the  pine-bough  canopy  and  vi- 
brating with  all  the  pathos  of  distant  bells  at 
eventide ! 


456  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

"Oh,  but  that  bell  song  is  exquisite,"  added 
Hazel  at  its  conclusion ;  "  how  I  wish  I  could  equal 
it!" 

"  Pshaw,  he  doesn't  compare  with  you  one  mo- 
,ment  for  fine  shading  of  tone,"  Stacy  assured  her, 
as  might  be  expected,  "  and  remember  that  time, 
place,  and  distance  lend  charm.  I  knew  the  sing- 
ing would  sound  better  up  here,  and  so  brought 
you  here.  We  will  come  again  some  evening  and 
bring  your  father.  I'd  like  him  to  hear  them." 
Then  as  it  was  getting  late,  he  lifted  his  companion 
as  if  he  owned  her,  tucked  one  hand  around  his 
arm,  and  side  by  side  they  followed  the  moon- 
checked,  winding,  velvety  path  down  the  canopied 
gorge,  as  if  it  led  into  a  new  and  ethereal  world,  as 
indeed  it  did  for  them! 

And  it  must  be  said,  Stacy,  cool  and  business-* 
like  as  a  rule,  had  hard  work  not  to  halt  right  be- 
neath the  fragrant  pines  and  risk  all  with  one  plea 
for  this  matchless  maid  clinging  to  his  arm ! 


A  SCUFFLE   OF   FEET   DANCING   ON   A   BOARD. — Pflfje  454. 


CHAPTER  XXXVII 

FOR  two  months  now,  or  until  the  maples  en- 
closing Hazel's  home  were  bare  of  foliage, 
Stacy  scarcely  thought  of  anything  except 
her,  or  to  direct  his  men  and  push  the  work  forward 
as  fast  as  possible,  as  a  minor  issue.     Curtis  North, 
Otero,  and  the  outcome  of  Harkins's  raid  in  those 
two  swindlers'  latest  field  of  operation,  had  also 
partially  faded  from  his  memory  when  one  evening, 
returning  from  the  home  of  his  charmer,  he  found 
a  letter  from  Harkins  awaiting  him  at  the  hotel. 

"  I  have  delayed  writing  you  until  I  could  re- 
port some  definite  action  by  our  law  mill,"  he 
wrote,  "  and  what  was  likely  to  be  done  with  your 
friend  '  Whiskers.'  He,  as  you  may  not  know, 
brought  one  lawyer  along  with  him  from  New 
York,  who,  of  course,  has  only  a  limited  standing 
In  our  courts.  He  has  also  engaged  two  of  our 
best  ones  to  defend  himself  and  Otero,  and  with 
ample  funds,  as  it  appears,  he  is  prepared  to  give 
us  a  long  legal  fight  and  will  probably  do  so.  We 
have  him  in  jail,  however,  and  all  our  prosecuting 
457 


458  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

attorney  has  been  able  to  do  so  far  is  to  keep  him 
from  obtaining  bonds  and  liberty.  In  this  con- 
nection, also,  I  recall  your  rather  sarcastic  criticism 
of  lawyers  in  general,  and  inasmuch  as  two  of  our 
leading  ones  are  now  taking  this  d —  swindler  and 
murderer's  money  in  his  defense  and  to  defeat 
justice  if  they  can,  I  must  admit  your  sneers  were 
justified.  I  have  *  Bricktop '  here  safe  in  limbo, 
though  at  our  preliminary  hearing  she  proved  a 
poor  witness  for  us,  and  swore  both  the  Swedes 
came  to  her  cabin  drunk,  that  the  one  who  was 
found  dead  fell  from  the  top  of  a  ladder  leading 
up  to  the  loft  of  her  cabin,  also  that  neither  Curtis 
North  nor  Otero  were  in  it  at  the  time.  She  admits 
being  partially  drunk  when  the  accident  happened, 
and  swears  she  fell  asleep  after  it  and  left  the  two 
miners  there,  drunk,  as  she  supposed.  What  com- 
plicated our  case  the  most  is  the  fact  that  Tygson 
has  vanished.  He  came  on  with  us  to  Rawhide, 
promised  me  on  his  honor  he  would  appear  as  wit- 
ness when  wanted,  went  up  to  Humpback,  and  two 
days  later  bought  a  horse,  packed  up  a  camp  out-* 
fit,  and  left  for  parts  unknown.  I  have  since 
learned  he  obtained  a  bill  of  exchange  for  twenty- 
five  thousand  dollars  at  our  bank  (the  foxy  cuss), 
and  sent  it  to  a  sister  of  his  in  Sweden.  I  imagined 
North  advised  him  to  do  this  on  the  way  here,  with 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  459 

threat  of  retribution  if  he  appeared  against  him 
in  court.  I  am  now  sorry  we  obtained  his  money 
for  him  the  way  we  did. 

"  I  had  some  fun  with  my  two  birds  on  the  way, 
for  the  nearer  we  got  to  Rawhide,  the  more  scared 
they  became,  and  just  before  we  reached  the  Junc- 
tion, and  as  a  final  bid  for  liberty,  North  offered 
me  an  even  hundred  thousand  to  get  off  and  leave 
him  on  the  train.  He  was  like  a  wet  rag  going 
up  to  Rawhide  and  scared  silly  besides.  I  had  the 
most  fun  when  we  got  there,  for  I  had  wired  one 
of  my  friends  to  meet  us  with  a  few  of  the  boys 
and  make  believe  they  meant  to  lynch  North.  It 
all  went  off  per  order,  rope  ready  —  two,  in  fact, 
and  a  hundred  men  yelling  '  Hang  him,  string  'em 
both  up,'  as  we  hustled  them  into  a  carriage,  with 
me  flourishing  a  gun  and  threatening  to  shoot! 

"  And  '  His  Whiskers  '  still  believes  my  defiance 
of  the  mob  was  all  that  saved  his  neck!  Of  the 
two,  Otero  showed  the  most  sand,  in  fact,  damned 
North  with  the  choicest  collection  of  Mexican  cuss 
words  on  top  of  ours,  I  ever  heard,  for  being  such 
a  coward.  I  think  the  outcome  will  be  that  Otero 
will  turn  State's  evidence  to  save  his  own  neck,  and 
so  we  may  get  a  second-degree  verdict  on  North. 
I  can't  hope  for  more  with  such  a  liar  as  '  Brick- 
top  '  for  sole  witness  for  us,  and  probably  a  fat 


460  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

rake-off  from  North  for  her  if  he  saves  his  neck. 
We  are,  as  you  see,  up  against  a  tough  proposition, 
plenty  of  money,  two  sharp  lawyers  meaning  to  get 
the  most  of  it,  and  our  only  witness  one  who  can 
beat  the  devil  at  lying.  Will  keep  you  posted,  how- 
ever. With  best  wishes  to  your  funny  old  farmer 
friend,  Uncle  Asa,  and  the  lady,  I  remain 

"  Yours  fraternally, 

"JiM." 

"Well,  it's  just  about  as  I  expected,"  declared 
Stacy  in  disgust,  after  perusing  this  lengthy  mis- 
sive, "  and  Curtis  North,  one  of  the  most  dangerous 
villains  who  ever  caught  the  unwary,  will  probably 
continue  at  that  game  in  spite  of  all  law!  He  has 
the  price,  two  hungry  attorneys  like  sharks  after 
it,  and  they  won't  let  up  as  long  as  his  money  lasts ! 
Talk  about  the  blind  Goddess  of  Justice  and  her 
pair  of  scales!  She  ought  to  be  portrayed  as 
perched  upon  a  pile  of  gold  bags,  holding  one  aloft, 
and  laughing  at  a  cordon  of  lawyers  grouped  about 
on  their  knees !  " 

When  Uncle  Asa  read  this  missive,  as  he  did  next 
day  when  he,  as  so  often  now,  visited  Stacy  at  the 
camp,  his  comment  may  also  well  be  quoted. 

"  Looks  like  the  critter  'ud  go  scot  free,  V  back 
to  skinnin'  farmers  'n'  fools  agin,  don't  it  ? "  he 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  461 

asserted  after  so  doing,  "  'n'  I  ain't  a  mite  s'prised. 
Jist  so  long's  a  villain's  got  money,  jist  so  long'll 
them  sharks  o'  lawyers  keep  arter  it,  makin'  b'lieve 
defend  him  till  it's  gone.  Then  he  can  go  hang  for 
all  they  care.  Fact  is,  'cordin'  to  my  notion,  most 
o'  the  laws  is  made  by  lawyers  on  purpose  so  they 
can  juggle  with  'em  like  stackin'  cards,  'n'  so  git 
fees.  I've  bin  in  court  jist  to  look  on  'n'  hear 
them  green-bag  fellers  wrangle  'n'  sass  one  'nother. 
But  the  case  is  one  o'  now  ye  see  it,  now  ye 
don't,  to  the  sucker  who's  payin'  the  bill.  All  he 
kin  tell  is  that  it's  inter  one  o'  them  green-bags  with 
his  money,  'n'  '  now  ye  don't  see  it '  arter  that ! 
Never  the  money,  anyhow! 

'  'N'  I've  allus  figgered  the  judge  were  sorter 
half  cahoots  with  them  sharks  in  the  game  like- 
wise. They  war  lawyers,  o'  course,  to  start  on,  'n' 
birds  of  a  feather  allus  flock  together. 

"  Curis,  curis,  Stacy,"  he  added  meditatively, 
"  how  one  half  o'  the  world  lives  on  t'other  half 
most  o'  the  time.  That  sharper  come  along  'n' 
skinned  me,  you  come  along  'n'  fined  him  six  thou- 
sand to  larn  him  a  lesson,  the  lawyers  ketched  him 
next,  'n'  who'll  ketch  the  lawyers  nobody  knows. 
The  divil  himself  is  the  only  one  sharp  'nuff,  I 
cal'late." 

Be  that  as  it  may  be,  however,  the  two  (or  rather 


462  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

two  and  one-half,  for  that  was  all  the  New  York 
lawyer  counted  in  the  game)  who  had  taken  Curtis 
North  in  hand  —  also  his  money  —  so  twisted  and 
perverted  all  evidence  that  they  came  near  proving 
'  Bricktop  '  to  have  been  a  sort  of  innocent  Red  Rid- 
ing Hood,  who,  with  her  equally  chaste  lady  friend, 
had  been  lured  to  Rawhide  by  the  two  Swedish 
wolves  in  miner's  garb  and  drugged  to  accomplish 
their  ruin;  that  Curtis  North  was  an  honorable 
business  man  who  had  sought  to  rescue  them  from 
the  hands  of  two  drunken  miners.  They  obtained 
postponements  and  re-hearings  on  the  score  of  new 
evidence  discovered,  and  finally  introduced  the 
novel  plea  that  Tygson,  aided  and  abetted  by  the 
other  woman  in  the  case,  had  lured  his  so-called 
friend,  Johnson,  to  '  Bricktop's '  cabin,  then 
drugged,  robbed,  and  murdered  him.  In  proof  of 
that,  he  had  now  left  the  country.  Curtis  North 
also  swore  that  Harkins  had  first  extorted  thirty 
thousand  dollars  from  him  as  hush  money,  which  he 
handed  to  Tygson,  then  arrested  him  as  a  bluff 
game,  and  all  that  saved  Harkins  from  impeach- 
ment and  trial  was  his  record  for  unswerving 
honesty  and  fearless  discharge  of  his  duty.  The 
case  was  kept  in  court  for  over  two  years  by 
various  legal  subterfuges,  until  Harkins  and  the 
prosecuting  attorney,  fearing  that  the  arch-criminal, 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  463 

Curtis  North,  would  escape  all  punishment,  decided 
to  promise  immunity  to  Otero  for  turning  State's 
evidence,  which  he  did  with  all  haste.  As  proof 
conclusive  of  what  a  farce  and  travesty  on  justice 
some  criminal  trials  are,  he  swore,  and  it  was  ad- 
mitted as  evidence,  that  Curtis  North  had  exercised 
a  hypnotic  influence  over  him  for  years,  compelled 
him  to  go  to  this  woman's  cabin  against  his  will, 
had  sent  him  out  to  buy  more  liquor  and  a  sleep- 
ing powder  to  put  in  it,  and  that,  drunk  himself, 
he  saw  North  deal  the  fatal  blow  to  Johnson  and 
rob  him.  As  corroborative  proof  of  this,  he  also 
swore  to  the  fact  that  North  had  given  him  money 
and  sent  him  to  Oakdale  to  buy  Bear  Hole  Swamp, 
as  well  as  other  malign  and  evil  deeds.  In  rebuttal, 
North's  lawyers  proved  conclusively  that  Otero  had 
been  a  professional  gambler  and  blackleg,  horse  and 
cattle  thief,  and  had  served  time  for  one  of  the 
latter  crimes,  and  finally  obtained  a  manslaughter 
verdict  for  their  client  with  extenuating  circum- 
stances and  a  minimum  sentence  of  six  years  in 
prison  for  it. 

Also,  as  every  one  knew  full  well,  they  ob- 
tained all  the  money  he  had  brought  to  Rawhide 
with  him ! 

"  Begorra,"  said  the  irrepressible  McCue  to  Har- 
kins  when  the  verdict  was  announced  and  North 


464  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

taken  away  to  serve  it,  "  thar  do  be  only  wan  way 
to  sarve  the  loikes  o'  him  an'  thot  the  ould  one. 
Jist  a  few  o'  the  b'ys  thot  know  their  business,  a 
rope  'n'  convanient  limb,  'n'  thar  ye  be!  An'  thin 
look  at  the  fun  we  missed  seem'  him  sthrung  up, 
wid  dhrinks  all  round  after  thot,  an'  iverybody 
thratin',  an'  maybe  a  foine  fight  fer  a  windup. 
Now  'tis  to  spind  two  years  provin'  everybody  is  a 
liar  till  we  forgit  what  the  mon  done  an'  wimmin 
sind  flowers  to  him  in  the  jail  Ochone,  but  the 
toimes  has  all  gone  wrong,  an'  dom  dull  now,  dom 
dull!" 

Something  else,  also,  of  pertinent  interest  was 
learned  by  Stacy  soon  after  this  on  one  of  his  occa- 
sional visits  to  Barre  and  from  Davis,  chairman  of 
that  city's  Improvement  Committee. 

"  Your  gay  and  festive  friend,  J.  Smith  Alton, 
left  town  between  two  days  last  week,  Brother 
Whipple,"  he  said  to  him  smilingly.  "Also  left 
quite  a  few  mourning  for  their  bills  as  well.  He 
was  defeated  for  councilman  by  a  landslide  at  our 
October  election,  notified  if  he  didn't  resign  from 
my  committee,  charges  of  betraying  a  trust  and 
bribery  would  be  preferred  against  him,  and  he  de- 
cided the  best  way  was  to  vamoose,  and  did  so.  He 
took  good  care  to  borrow  all  he  possibly  could  be- 
fore departing,  and  those  victims  are  all  who  regret 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  465 

his  departure.  I  have  heard  he  was  seen  in  New 
York  recently  with  a  very  handsome  black-eyed 
lady." 

"  Miss  Carmen,  I  presume,"  smiled  Stacy,  well 
pleased,  "  and  probably  hunting  for  her  friend 
Otero  and  the  mate  to  a  diamond  bracelet  she  was 
expecting  for  assistance  in  doing  me.  She  won't 
get  it,  however,  for  this  Otero  has  troubles  of  his 
own  just  now,"  and  then  after  showing  Davis  the 
letter  from  Harkins,  Stacy  told  him  the  whole  story 
from  his  meeting  Uncle  Asa  to  the  final  scene  in 
New  York. 

"  What  an  all-around,  double-distilled,  dyed-in- 
the-wool  fool  a  man  is  to  get  bedeviled  by  a  woman 
like  this  Carmen,"  he  declared,  after  the  long  story 
was  ended.  "  A  spider  spinning  a  web  for  unsus- 
pecting flies  is  an  honest  fellow  in  comparison,  for 
such  as  she  weaves  one  over  the  most  invincible  and 
compelling  of  all  human  impulses,  that  once  aroused 
leave  the  victim  no  chance  whatever  except  to  be 
robbed,  gladly.  Even  thankful  to  be  so  duped, 
fleeced,  and  finally  dishonored  as  this  fellow,  Alton, 
has  been.  The  one  factor  and  feature  of  this  mat- 
ter most  exasperating  to  me,  or  rather  one  that 
wakens  my  contempt  for  man's  frailty  most,  is  the 
fact  that  otherwise  level-headed  and  sensible  busi- 
ness men  can,  and  are  continually  being  duped  and 


466  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

preyed  upon  by  Carmens  of  every  age,  shape,  color, 
or  previous  condition  of  depravity. 

"  I  do  not  wonder  cynics  sneer  and  savants  jeer! 
Puck  ought  to  have  said,  *  What  fools  these  men 
can  be!"' 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII 

FOR  almost  two  months  now,  or  since  that 
evening  of  mutual  confession,  and  oblitera- 
tion of  Stacy's  sulks,  he  had  not  only  been 
paying  most  assiduous  court  to  Hazel,  but  dwelling 
in  the  seventh  heaven  of  illusions.  Each  Sunday 
found  him  at  church,  garbed  spick  and  span  as  the 
best  Albion  tailor  could  make  him,  and  rain  or  shine 
he  was  sure  to  be  beside  her  cheerful  fire  those 
evenings  as  well.  When  Thursday  evening  arrived, 
he  was  on  hand  to  escort  her  home  from  that  in- 
evitable prayer  meeting,  and  to  tuck  her  hand 
around  his  arm  in  the  manner  of  proprietorship, 
then  walk  away  as  if  he  owned  her!  More  than 
that,  and  in  spite  of  her  warning  that  boredom 
might  follow  too  intimate  association,  he  dared  that 
by  presenting  himself  at  the  throne  of  her  grace 
on  other  evenings  as  well.  They  went  driving  each 
Saturday  afternoon,  weather  permitting,  and  a  box 
of  choice  flowers  and  a  five-pound  one  of  candy 
came  up  from  Albion  alternately  on  those  days  un- 
til, as  might  be  expected,  all  Oakdale  felt  positive 
467 


468  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

that  they  were  engaged  lovers,  and  spoke  accord- 
ingly. 

And  yet,  after  those  weeks,  delightful  to  both, 
they  were  not,  neither  had  the  word,  love,  beenr 
even  hinted  at,  except  by  insinuation  from  Stacy. 
They  talked  much,  however,  discussing  all  proper 
subjects  in  fearless  manner,  occasionally  disagree- 
ing, for  Hazel  had  a  mind  of  her  own  and  was  not 
afraid  to  express  it;  and  Stacy,  while  not  dogmatic, 
was  equally  fearless  of  opinion.  More  than  that, 
he  was  keen  enough  to  realize  that  Hazel  enjoyed 
a  contest  of  argument,  with  due  deference  to  her 
conviction,  of  course,  and  that  concession,  or  a 
"  yes,  yes  "  to  all  her  opinions,  would  inevitably 
mean  her  feeling  bored,  and  the  end  of  her  interest 
in  him.  He  even  —  so  anxious  was  he  to  entertain 
and  interest  her  —  sent  for  the  complete  works  of 
her  favorite  author,  Emerson,  and  between  times 
or  calls  read  assiduously.  And  they,  as  they  could 
not  fail  to  do,  soon  opened  his  eyes  to  a  new  horizon 
and  a  broader,  nobler  and  more  spiritual  meaning  to 
life  and  its  moods  and  impulses. 

For  occult  reasons,  also,  he  made  no  mention  of 
this  study  —  and  it  is  a  study  to  all  who  read  Emer- 
son understandingly  —  until  he  had  grasped  what 
may  be  called  the  outlines  of  this  philosopher's  mind 
—  his  analysis  of  the  why  and  wherefore  of  hu- 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  469 

man  emotions  and  actions,  their  origin,  outcome, 
and  final  purpose  in  life.  Then  Stacy,  thus  armed 
and  equipped  and  anticipating  a  delightful  exchange 
with  Hazel,  broached  the  subject  of  Emerson. 
1  "  I've  gone  to  the  fountain  source  of  your 
many  pertinent  epigrams  and  profound  truths, 
Hazel,"  he  said  to  her  that  evening,  once  more 
beside  her  cheerful  fire,  "  and  I've  had  a  treat ;  also  a 
struggle,  for  Emerson  is  a  deeper  thinker  than  I 
am  accustomed  to,  and  not  easily  understood." 

"  I'm  glad,"  she  rejoined,  her  eyes  a-twinkle  and 
smiling,  "  for  now  you  can  understand  why  I  once 
admitted  I  was  so  easily  bored  by  commonplace 
conversation  —  personal  history,  gossip,  and  all  that 
sort  of  thing  that  so  many  indulge  in.  Which  of 
his  books  have  you  been  reading  ?  " 

"  Oh,  his  Essays,  of  course ;  they  came  first,  and 
do  you  know  I  read  them,  then  his  miscellaneous 
writings,  next  his  poems,  and  returning  to  his  Es- 
says, found  I  had  not  even  grasped  a  tithe  of  their 
deep  meaning.  I've  read  the  one  I  like  best,  '  Com- 
pensation,' over  four  times;  'Self-Reliance,' 
'  Friendship,'  *  Love/  and  *  Spiritual  Laws  '  twice 
each,  and  find  I've  not  as  yet  more  than  skimmed 
them.  He  is  a  wonderful  thinker,  and  in  writing 
condenses  more  into  fewer  words  than  anyone  else  I 
ever  read.  To  follow  him  understandingly,  requires 


470  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

the  closest  application.  He  is  a  mine  of  analytical 
wisdom.  But  '  Compensation '  is  the  gem  of  all  his 
writings,  and  as  a  guide  to  how  to  live  and  enjoy 
what  is  best  in  life  it  is  worth  more  than  all  the  ser- 
mons I  ever  heard.  I've  had  a  treat,  thanks  to 
you." 

" '  Compensation '  is  a  classic,"  she  rejoined,  her 
eyes  brimming  with  mischief.  "  But  what  induced 
you  to  delve  into  him?  You  whose  leading  ambi- 
tion was  to  build  a  big  dam  and  transform  sleepy 
old  Oakdale  into  a  city  of  spindles  and  mill  opera- 
tives and  make  a  lot  of  money!  I  am  astonished! 
Why  is  this  thus  ?  " 

"  Well,  you  are  the  first  reason,"  he  returned 
boldly.  "  You  have  been  quoting  him  to  confound 
me,  and  did  so  most  adroitly ;  routed  me  horse,  foot, 
and  dragoons,  so  to  speak,  so  that  I've  been  com- 
pelled to  read  Emerson  in  self-defense.  Beyond 
that,  and  accepting  one  of  your  assertions  literally, 
I've  had  cold  chills  lest  I  bored  you." 

Then  the  elusive  Hazel  laughed  right  merrily. 

"  Stealing  my  thunder,  eh  ?  "  she  ejaculated,  sub- 
siding. "  Robbing  me  of  my  trite  axioms,  thou 
brave  knight  ?  I  am  surprised !  And  so  you  have 
mastered  Emerson  to  confound  me  in  turn,"  she 
continued  piquantly  and  resolving  to  catechise  her 
admirer.  "  If  this  be  so,  the  class  of  one  in  '  Com- 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  471 

pensation '  will  now  take  his  place  and  recite. 
What  is  it  the  big  trees  seem  to  say  to  mere  man 
coming  out  of  the  heated  caucus  ?  " 

"  '  Why  so  hot,  my  little  sir? '  "  answered  Stacy 
smiling,  "  and  that  the  affairs  of  men  are  but  trifles 
in  comparison  with  time  and  the  growth  of  a  vast 
forest.  A  petty  diversion  soon  forgotten." 

"  And  have  you  learned  the  real  inner  reason  why 
it  is  best  to  pay  scot  and  lot  as  you  go  along?  "  she 
continued,  watching  him.  "  Why  the  borrower 
runs  into  his  own  debt  ?  " 

"  To  pay  all  debts  promptly  means  to  escape  all 
sense  of  obligation  at  once.  To  be  able  to  look  the 
whole  world  in  the  face  undaunted  and  say,  '  Go, 
chase  thyself,'  if  need  be,"  laughed  Stacy. 

"  And  can  you  do  a  wrong  without  suffering  a 
wrong  ? "  persisted  Hazel.  "  Can  you  strike  a 
weaker  one  without  the  blow  becoming  a  boomerang 
returning  to  smite  you  ?  " 

"  No,  never ;  nor  dig  a  pit  for  thy  fellow  man,  thy 
brother,  without  falling  into  it  thyself  with  a  dull 
thud,  as  Curtis  North  did,"  rejoined  Stacy  compla- 
cently. "  The  blow  he  aimed  at  your  father,  his 
robbery,  returned  to  smite  him  tenfold.  A 
boomerang  of  mighty  force  that  divested  him  of 
fortune,  swept  him  across  a  continent,  and  landed 
him  behind  prison  bars." 


472  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

"  I  see  you  have  garnered  and  applied  a  few 
Emersonian  truths,"  smiled  Hazel  admiringly; 
*'  not  enough  to  deserve  the  laurel  wreath,  however. 
Can  you  as  yet  truthfully  say  that  you  distrust  and 
fear  all  flattery?  That  praise  is  dangerous  and  dis- 
torts your  own  perspective  of  yourself  almost  in- 
evitably?" 

"  I  can't  quite  say  that,"  admitted  Stacy  frankly. 
"  I  like  to  be  well  thought  of  —  by  you  especially. 
Like  to  have  those  I  care  for  like  me,  and  show 
it  in  some  manner.  Not  by  word,  however,  by 
deed,  rather,  which  is,  after  all,  flattery  of  the  most 
occult  sort.  In  short,  I  am  like  most  of  humanity, 
one  who  prefers  being  appreciated,  not  misunder- 
stood. For  instance,  it  is  a  satisfaction  to  me  to 
feel  your  father  believes  in  both  my  honesty  and 
honor.  Also  that  I  have  some  common  sense.  Is 
that  dangerous  flattery,  oh,  sweet  and  fair  teacher  ?  " 

"  Both  adjectives  are  flattery  to  me,"  she  asserted 
instantly,  yet  smiling.  "  I  must  allow  I  like  them, 
as  you  admit  what  you  like.  But  that  does  not  dis- 
prove Emerson's  contention  that  all  flattery  is 
dangerous.  I  still  insist  and  believe  that  it  is." 

"  In  a  way,  yes,  for  we  are  never  sure  there  isn't 
a  sinister  intent  back  of  it.  Some  axe  to  grind. 
Won't  you  allow  it  from  those  you  trust  thor- 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  473 

oughly?  Those  you  have  proved  that  you  can 
trust?" 

"  By  deed  and  implication,  yes,  by  word  —  well, 
I  must  say  that  I  rebel  at  all  words  of  praise  ex- 
cept from  one  person,  my  father.  Praise  from  him 
is  very  sweet,  because  I  know  it  comes  from  his 
love,  which  is  absolutely  and  entiiely  unselfish.  I 
feel  I  am  a  part  of  him  in  soul-life,  anyway,  as  I 
must  be." 

For  one  long  moment  Stacy's  eyes  rested  upon 
the  sweet,  piquant  face  of  Hazel  with  deep,  tender 
admiration.  He  saw  her  now  as  never  before,  and 
that  beyond  or  within  a  face  and  form  so  charming 
that  all  men  must  admire  and  want  to  praise,  lay 
a  soul,  dauntless,  clear-eyed,  sincere,  pure  and 
truthful.  He  realized  that  she  saw  him  as  he  was, 
with  all  his  faults  and  foibles.  Also  recognized  his 
honesty  of  purpose  and  sense  of  honor.  In  a  way, 
as  well,  he  saw,  or  was  conscious  that  his  own  soul 
stood  bared  to  her.  That  she  had  analyzed  him  by 
word  and  deed;  that  she,  a  metaphysical  student, 
almost,  in  spite  of  her  tender  years,  could  read 
and  measure  his  mind  and  moods  as  easily  as  her 
great  mentor,  Emerson,  could  those  of  all  hu- 
manity. Beyond  this,  also,  and  more  satisfying, 
came  the  instantaneous  consciousness  that  her  ac- 


474  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

ceptance  of  his  company  so  often  and  in  the  face 
of  all  Oakdale  meant  that  she  was  willing  to  do  so. 
Meant  that  she  cared  not  one  whit  what  they  said 
or  thought  about  it.  That  she,  high-spirited  and 
proud  beyond  their  possible  conception,  was  yet 
willing  to  walk  beside  him  in  full  view,  willing  to 
be  seen,  known  and  discussed  as  his  almost  daily 
companion  and  mate,  as  she  had  been  now  for 
months.  And  realizing  all  this  as  never  before, 
almost  was  he  now  compelled  to  ask  for  final  ac- 
ceptance and  her  promise  to  share  his  life  for  weal 
or  woe,  for  joy  or  sorrow. 

"  I  often  think,"  she  then  said,  divining  his 
thoughts,  perhaps,  and  flushing  at  his  ardent  gaze, 
"  how  much  I  need  my  father's  abiding  love  and 
faith,  and  how  impossible  for  me  to  be  happy  with- 
out it.  We  have  grown  together,  he  and  I,  in  soul- 
life  and  appreciation  of  Nature.  He  has  read  all 
my  best  books,  too,  just  to  keep  pace  with  me  in 
thought  or  study,  I  fancy.  Sometimes  we  discuss 
them  as  you  and  I  have  Emerson,  though  seldom; 
but  better  than  that,  and  like  a  tonic  to  me,  is  his 
old-fashioned,  homely  way  of  hitting  the  nail  on 
its  head ;  of  uttering  the  truth  and  facts  of  the  case 
in  few  words  and  to  the  point.  He  never  bores  me, 
seems  to  know  just  how  I  feel  and  think  about  all 
matters,  and  beyond  that  I  am  compelled  to  feel  that 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  475 

his  sole  ambition  in  life  is  my  own  happiness.  Of 
course,  the  inevitable  compensation  comes  in  my 
feeling  the  same  way  towards  him." 

"  '  Two  hermit  souls,'  "  quoted  Stacy  again,  and 
not  at  all  jealous  of  it.  "  You  certainly  have 
'  blazed  your  path  where  never  highway  ran '  for 
I  never  saw  or  knew  of  a  father  and  daughter  so 
devoted,  so  independent  of  the  whole  world,  and 
so  little  in  need  of  anything  it  can  give.  But  — " 

"  No,  don't  say  it,"  she  interrupted  hastily,  read- 
ing his  thought,  "  for  I  know  it  all  the  time.  How 
can  I  help  it  when  I  look  at  his  wrinkled  face? 
But  that  is  of  to-morrow,  and  to  live  one  day  at 
a  time  is  our  motto."  Then,  as  if  there  could  be 
but  one  outcome  of  this  line  of  thought  from  Stacy, 
a  proposal,  which  must  be  forestalled,  she  arose 
speedily  and  went  to  her  piano. 

"  I  have  a  new  song,"  she  asserted,  now  hunt- 
ing for  it,  "  and  I'm  going  to  inflict  it  upon  you, 
willy-nilly.  We  have  discussed  metaphysics  long 
enough." 

Then  Stacy,  quite  at  home  here  now,  added  two 
sticks  of  white  birch  wood  to  the  fire,  lit  a  cigar 
with  a  shred  of  bark,  crossed  his  legs  and  lay  back 
in  his  armchair,  content  to  enjoy  what  the  gods 
had  so  far  vouchsafed  him,  and  quite  sure  the  time 
would  come  when  this  rare  and  keen-witted  maid 


476  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

must  turn  to  him  for  love  and  protection.  And 
just  now,  also,  while  he  blew  smoke  rings  lazily  and 
watched  her,  the  growth  of  this  now  well-estab- 
lished bond  passed  in  retrospection.  He  saw  her 
once  more,  as  at  first,  under  the  big  pine,  and  leaping 
to  her  feet  in  sudden  alarm  at  his  appearance. 
Next,  the  first  meal  she  had  served  him  so  graciously 
and  with  such  tactful  converse,  her  cool  indifference 
in  the  strawberry  field,  how  he  had  had  to  beg  for  an 
invitation  to  call,  her  continual  distrust  of  him,  and 
almost  chilling  neglect  upon  their  first  visit  to  the 
shore;  and  worse  than  that,  her  frosty  demeanor 
all  through  the  camping-out  episode,  with  only  one 
utterance  from  her  he  cared  to  now  recall.  His 
fit  of  sulks  came  next,  and  how  for  three  long  weeks 
of  evenings,  he,  though  hungering  for  a  sight  of 
her  sweet  face,  held  himself  aloof  in  sullen  anger. 

And  then  the  chance  meeting  on  the  highway, 
and  how  close  he  came  to  letting  his  pride  continue 
its  rule  and  perhaps  part  them  forever,  and  how, 
step  by  step  after  that,  they  had  drawn  nearer  to 
one  another  along  the  highway  of  life,  until  now, 
—  oh,  blessed  consciousness  —  she  was  willing  to 
walk  beside  him  at  all  times  and  before  the  whole 
world ! 

But  would  she  be  willing  so  to  continue  all  her 
life?  To  give  herself  to  him,  to  have  and  to  hold, 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  477 

to  love  and  care  for,  all  that  long  or  short  journey? 
He  understood  her  better  now.  How  self-reliant 
she  was,  how  little  of  the  personal,  selfish  side  of 
human  nature  there  was  in  her  make-up,  and  how 
much  of  the  spiritual,  the  noble,  the  altruistic  at- 
tribute she  had.  She  was  like  that  rare  flower, 
the  edelweiss,  growing  along  the  borders  of  per- 
petual snow,  and  as  sweet  and  pure.  She  might 
accept  the  sunshine  of  love  and  protection,  perhaps, 
but  did  not  need  it,  for  as  she  had  just  assured  him, 
and  truthfully,  too,  as  he  believed,  she  was  con- 
tent to  devote  herself  to  her  one  best  companion 
—  her  father.  Stacy  did  not  mean  that  she  should, 
however,  just  now.  He  meant  to  beg  for  admit- 
tance into  her  empyrean  realm,  her  kingdom  along 
the  snow  line,  and  to  that  end  and  purpose,  and  for 
that  consummation,  all  other  plans  of  his  must  and 
should  conspire.  Then,  too,  as  an  added  incentive, 
came  her  father's  apparent  wish  for  that  result,  and 
his  almost  pathetic  self-effacement  in  a  hermit  life 
down  beside  the  lonely  shore. 

And  how  could  it  all  be  brought  about?  How 
sever  these  two  life-companions,  so  satisfied  with 
one  another?  Would  love  and  wifehood  be  suf- 
ficient for  the  azure-souled  Hazel?  Sufficient  to 
satisfy  and  replace  a  kinship  that  had  been  hers 
since  childhood?  It  seemed  almost  too  much  to 


478  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

expect!  In  fact,  that  consciousness,  that  realiza- 
tion of  how  bound  together  these  two  were,  had 
kept  Stacy  silent  so  long.  Silent  at  least  to  the  ex- 
tent of  proposing  what  must  mean  a  separation. 

And  now,  with  the  evening  and  fire  both  waning, 
and  Hazel,  beautiful  as  a  painter's  classic  dream, 
sounding  the  chords  of  an  old-time  love  song 
but  a  few  feet  away,  Stacy  was  as  far  from  it  as  he 
had  been  for  months. 

He  was  in  nowise  afraid  of  her,  or  to  put  the 
question  and  win  or  lose  all.  Only  —  and  now  her 
own  assertions  of  the  dread  of  commonplaceness 
recurred  to  him  —  was  he  capable  of  assuming  so 
great  a  charge,  so  delicate  a  task  as  being  soul- 
mate  for  such  as  she  ?  They  were  both  happy  now, 
or  content  in  a  way.  He  with  his  air  castle  and 
ambition,  she  with  her  school  for  diversion,  and 
home  life  and  father  for  consolation.  How  would 
it  be  if  he  thrust  himself  into  this?  If  they  mar- 
ried and  he  transplanted  her  to  Albion  and  social 
life  there,  as  perforce  he  must,  would  that  work 
out  to  her  satisfaction  and  content?  Could  or 
would  all  he  might  do  for  her  satisfy  and  make 
amends  for  the  soul-staff  she  had  leaned  upon  so 
long  —  her  father? 

"  It  is  getting  late  and  I  must  be  going,  Hazel," 
he  said  in  his  usual  tone  now,  rising  after  his  long 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  479 

meditation,  and  she,  as  was  usual  now,  helped  him 
on  with  his  coat  and  opened  the  door  for  him  to  de- 
part. 

"  I've  had  a  more  than  ordinarily  enjoyable  even- 
ing, Hazel,"  he  said,  with  unusual  tenderness  this 
time,  and  pausing  in  the  open  door.  "  All  evenings 
are  charming  with  you,  as  you  must  know,  this  more 
than  most,  for  I've  obtained  a  glimpse  into  your 
inner  soul-life.  I  —  I  wish  you  needed  me  as  much 
as  I  do  you." 

Then,  as  if  this  was  meant  to  set  her  think- 
ing, he  added  a  hasty  "good  night,"  and  strode 
away. 

And  then  Hazel,  quite  conscious  of  what  was  in 
his  heart,  also  with  a  sweet  pain  in  her  own,  sat 
down  beside  the  dying  fire  and  stared  into  the 
faintly  glowing  embers.  And  how  empty  the  room 
seemed  just  now,  and  how  like  "  never  —  forever 
—  forever  —  never  "  sounded  the  tall  clock's  tick, 
mingling  with  the  low  murmur  of  the  near-by  brook 
outside,  and  the  rustle  of  dead  leaves  in  the  night 
wind! 

"  I  am  doing  wrong,  very  wrong,"  she  said 
to  herself  next,  leaning  her  face  in  one  hand  with 
elbow  on  chair  arm,  after  five  minutes  of  this  soul 
communion.  "  He  is  getting  more  and  more  in  love, 
and  I  am  letting  him.  He  came  near  proposing 


480  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

to-night!  It  must  not  be!  It  must  not  be,  with 
poor  old  poppy  planning  to  live  alone  by  the  sea! 
No,  no,  it  must  not  be !  I  cannot  leave  father  as  he 
will  insist !  I  cannot !  " 

And  then  so  sharp  a  heart  pang  came  in  answer 
she  had  to  bite  her  lips. 

For  a  very  long  half-hour  more,  she  still  sat  there 
in  silent  communion  with  herself,  her  life  —  past, 
present,  and  probable  future.  She  was  barely  con- 
scious of  the  clock's  solemn  tick,  imagined  she 
heard  the  low  wave-wash  on  the  lonely  shore,  and 
saw  the  white  and  brown  rows  of  serrated  stones 
on  the  hillside  above  the  village.  Life  had  come 
to  a  parting  of  the  ways  for  her:  one  pointing  to 
love  and  duty  to  her  father,  the  other  into  an  un- 
known realm  with  an  almost  soul-stranger. 

"  No,  no,  no,  I  cannot,"  she  said  at  last,  rising 
to  extinguish  the  light  and  retire,  "  and  I  shall  not 
leave  father ! " 


TT 


CHAPTER  XXXIX 

HERE  are  some  days  in  good  old  New 
England  that  seem  like  a  benediction, 
"*•  and  such  a  one  now  ushered  in  Thanksgiv- 
ing to  Oakdale.  The  distant  sea  undulating  beneath 
a  red  sun  was  without  a  ripple,  the  sky  a  dome  of 
ambient  haze,  the  air  soft  and  balmy,  the  hillsides 
still  glowing  with  faint  shades  of  scarlet  here  and 
there  amid  the  brown,  and  the  vista  of  valley 
opening  to  the  sea,  still  green.  The  church  bells, 
as  always  here  on  that  day,  called  the  faithful  once 
more,  and  Hazel  with  them,  to  sing  again  a  song  of 
joy  and  thankfulness;  while  over  at  the  camp, 
Stacy's  men  were  enjoying  what  to  them  was  a 
glorious  and  satisfying  day  of  rest  and  sports,  with 
a  dinner  of  roast  turkeys,  geese,  and  ducks  as  extra 
treat  provided  by  him.  He  also,  quite  content  with 
himself  and  all  else,  the  progress  of  his  work,  and 
his  wooing  of  Hazel,  more  especially,  walked  home 
with  her  from  church  as  usual,  then  partook  of  a 
most  excellent  dinner  provided  by  Aunt  Sally  and 
served  by  Hazel,  also  seasoned  by  the  flavor  of 
Uncle  Asa's  wit  and  humor.  Stories  were  told  by 
481 


482  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

both  himself  and  that  genial  optimist,  including 
what  he  never  tired  of  (or  any  of  the  party  either), 
his  experience  in  the  sleeping  car  with  snakes  as  a 
side  feature,  and  how  scared  the  porter  was !  And 
after  that,  when  the  sun  was  well  down,  Stacy 
made  a  suggestion  to  Hazel. 

"  Let's  walk  up  to  the  camp,  little  girl "  (for  so 
he  occasionally  addressed  her  now)  "and  see  how 
my  men  are  getting  on  and  what  they  are  doing." 
And  she,  half-conscious  that  this  meant  something 
more,  took  a  light  wrap,  put  on  her  red  mobcap, 
and  away  they  went  up  the  hill  and  along  the 
velvety  path  through  the  pines  to  the  camp.  They 
did  not  go  close  to  it,  either,  just  climbed  a  brown 
bush-covered  hillock,  to  reconnoiter  it  from  am- 
bush, see  the  men  —  most  of  them  in  lazy  abandon, 
and  grouped  around  four  who  were  pitching  quoits, 
and  then  returned  along  the  same  path  to  the  big 
pine  where  Stacy  had  first  seen  Hazel  and  the  top 
of  her  home  roof. 

"  Let  us  sit  here  a  few  moments,"  he  said,  "  and 
*  watch  the  sunset.  I  feel  like  it,  too,"  he  added, 
half  sadly,  now  spreading  his  top  coat  he  had  car- 
ried on  his  arm  for  her  to  sit  upon,  "  feel  the  sun- 
set mood,  as  I  always  do  at  the  end  of  a  Thanks- 
giving day." 

"  But  why  ?  "  she  queried,  first  glancing  at  him. 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  483 

now  seated  beside  her,  then  away  to  where  his  eyes 
were  upon  the  red  ball  of  fire  close  to  the  distant 
hilltop.  "  Hasn't  the  day  been  a  pleasant  one  ?  " 

"  As  much  so  as  kind  friends  could  make  it,"  he 
returned  briskly;  "delightful,  in  fact,  for  I've  had 
you  for  company.  Only  it  is  as  always  to  me  now, 
a  day  of  bygones.  Of  memories  of  boyhood  and 
my  own  home  and  Thanksgivings  there.  And  the 
minor  chord  is  the  stern  fact  that  all  who  made 
those  days  red-letter  ones,  are  only  memories  now. 
Pictures  on  the  walls  of  my  room.  Scenes  upon 
the  tablets  of  memory.  It's  the  common  fate  of  us 
all,  and  best  kept  out  of  mind.  Pardon  my  mention 
of  it. 

"  Do  you  know,  Hazel,"  he  continued  hurriedly, 
as  if  wishing  to  force  this  retrospective  chord  out 
of  her  mind,  "  the  only  consolation  a  sunset  has  is 
the  expectation  that  the  sun  will  rise  again.  Again, 
I  think,  and  do  not  wonder  at  it,  how  many  mil- 
lions were  sun-worshippers  once.  I  am  myself,  in 
a  way,  for  it  is  the  actual  or  only  visible  origin  of 
all  life  on  this  planet.  We  believe  in  God  or  the 
Father  of  us  all,  and  rightly,  but  the  sun  is  the 
tangible  means,  after  all." 

'  Yes,  of  bodily  life,  animal  or  vegetable,"  she 
rejoined  earnestly,  "but  not  of  soul  life  —  moods, 
emotions,  feelings,  ambitions  —  they  must  come 


484  (THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

from  some  other  source,  I  am  sure.     Aren't  you  ?  " 

"  Oh,  not  so  sure  as  I  wish  I  were,"  he  returned, 
shaking  his  head,  "  for  therein  lies  all  faith  in  or 
hope  of  a  future  life,  and  while  I  hope  for  it,  like 
all  humanity,  I  wish  I  were  more  sure  of  it,  how- 
ever. Don't  you?" 

"  To  be  candid,  yes ;  only  I  have  an  implicit  faith, 
and  would  hate  to  have  it  shaken  by  contrary  proof. 
That  must  always  be  a  matter  of  faith.  It's  our 
soul's  only  bulwark. 

"  I  always  lose  a  little  faith  when  the  end  of 
autumn,  with  its  death  of  plant-life  comes,"  she 
added,  sighing.  "  That  forces  the  conviction  of 
how  short  our  lives  are,  and  how  soon  I  shall  come 
to  what  you  have  to-day  —  the  living  over  of  by- 
gones and  pictures  on  the  walls.  I've  only  father, 
anyway." 

And  just  then,  Stacy,  catching  the  minor  chord 
of  her  mood  and  its  kinship  with  his  own,  turned 
and  scanned  her  face  in  profile.  He  noted  the  sad 
little  droop  to  her  lips,  and  how  like  Evangeline's 
face  in  expression  her  own  was,  and  his  heart  gave 
a  leap.  If  ever  she  was  or  would  be  in  occult 
sympathy  with  him,  it  was  now! 

"  Hazel,"  he  said,  suddenly  reaching  and  clasping 
one  of  her  hands,  "life  is  short,  hope  is  elusive;  I 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  485 

want  you  to  inspire  mine  now  and  for  all  time! 
Oh,  I  want  you  for  my  very  own !  " 

One  instant's  flash  of  her  eyes  meeting  his  came ; 
a  look  that  bared  her  very  soul  in  the  sunset  glow ; 
the  next  she  drew  her  hand  from  his  and  both  went 
to  her  face. 

"  Oh,  no,  no  " —  chokingly  and  quivering  — "  it 
must  not  be !  I  cannot  leave  father !  " 

"  But  you  can  promise  —  sometime,"  pleaded 
Stacy  desperately.  "  I  want  you  so  much  I  will 
wait  a  lifetime!  My  God,  I  can't  give  you  up! " 

For  one  long  moment  she  sat,  still  trembling,  then 
turned  her  eyes  to  him,  a  vision  of  heaven. 

"  I  cannot  say  no  —  always,"  she  whispered 
brokenly,  "  but  you  .must  wait  —  you  know  — 
why." 

And  then,  despite  her  brief  struggle,  he  gathered 
her  to  his  heart  and  their  lips  met. 

Oh,  wondrous  illusion!  Oh,  blessed  moment! 
Oh,  divine  thrill!  Oh,  sublime  union  of  soul  and 
impulse  to  which  all  else  subserves  and  joins  heaven 
and  earth,  soul  and  body,  life  and  death,  time  and 
eternity,  as  naught  else  can  or  should!  It  comes 
but  once  with  perfect  power  through  all  life's  span, 
a  soul-absorbing,  death-defying,  God-uniting  in- 
stant of  supreme  ecstasy! 


486  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

And  so  it  came  to  these  two,  created  to  mate, 
perhaps,  upon  some  other  shore  of  time,  some  other 
realm  where  the  Supreme  Architect  of  the  Universe 
said,  "  Go  forth,  you  two;  become  as  one,  and  create 
My  world  anew ! " 

It  was  hours  later  —  how  passed  needs  no  de- 
scription—  when  Hazel  found  her  father  asleep  in 
his  armchair  beside  the  dying  embers  of  the  sitting- 
room  fire. 

"  Why,  girlie,"  he  exclaimed,  wakened  now  by  a 
little  arm  enclosing  his  neck  and  a  tear-moist  face 
pressed  to  his,  "  what's  happened  to  ye?  " 

"  What  I  meant  never  should,"  she  whispered, 
creeping  into  his  lap  and  kissing  him.  "  And  I  — 
I  feel  mean  and  happy  both!  But  he  is  willing  to 
wait  and  " —  showering  kisses  upon  his  face  — "  I 
couldn't  say  '  no,'  father." 

"  Wai,  God  bless  ye,  girlie,  both  on  ye,"  now 
understanding  her  naive  confession  as  only  he  could 
and  clasping  her  close. 

For  a  long  five  minutes  he  held  her  thus,  she  who 
was  more  than  life  to  him,  then  he  spoke  again. 

"  I  knowed  'twould  come,  'n'  it's  best  so,"  he 
said  softly,  "  'n'  now  I  shall  feel  ye're  to  be  keered 
fer  allus  ez  a  woman  needs.  O'  course  we  got  to 
part,  I  know  that,  too,"  he  added  a  moment  later, 
"  'n'  that's  best  so,  likewise.  Ye  must  be  his'n,  then 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  487 

—  everyways  —  not  mine  no  more.  But  we'll  hev 
quite  a  spell  together  yet,  girlie,"  more  cheerfully, 
"  lots  o'  weeks  'n'  months,  mebbe,  'n'  we're  goin' 
to  make  the  most  on  'em,  too!  We  be!  Now  go 
to  bed  'n'  dream  o'  settin'  in  a  medder  'n'  hearin' 
the  birds  singin'  all  around,  ez  ye  ought  to!" 

Then  he  arose,  lifting  her  to  his  heart,  kissed  her, 
plumped  her  on  her  feet,  and  then  with  a  whis- 
pered "  Good  night,  Poppy  dear,"  she  left  him. 

"  It's  best  so,  best  so,"  he  said  to  himself  after 
listening  to  the  last  pat  of  her  feet  on  the  stairs, 
then  pushing  the  smouldering  embers  together. 
"  But  it's  goin'  to  be  a  cuttin'  o'  my  heart  out,  jist 
the  same." 


WHILE  this  Thanksgiving  Day  became  a 
red-letter  one  in  Stacy's  life-calendar, 
and  the  beginning  of  the  most  alluring 
and  poetically  beautiful  illusion  that  comes  to  man, 
Oakdale  continued  on  the  even  tenor  of  its  way 
without  a  ripple.  The  only  disturbing  factor  to 
them  was  the  progress  of  this  new  enterprise  he 
was  engaged  upon,  and  its  final  result  upon  the 
town.  This  naturally  elicited  various  opinions;  a 
few  contending  that  it  would  prove  an  injury  by 
bringing  in  an  alien  population  of  foreign  habits, 
customs,  and  religion,  and  eventually  destroy  their 
peaceful  life  and  serenity,  while  others,  and  the 
majority,  felt  confident  that  it  would  result  in  last- 
ing benefit.  In  the  meantime,  Stacy,  oblivious  to 
all  public  opinion  and  enwrapped  in  the  building  of 
a  new  air  castle  with  Hazel  as  its  queen  and  mis- 
tress,  was,  as  Uncle  Asa  would  put  it,  "  sawin'  wood 
all  the  time." 

He  built  an  addition  to  his  rude  dining-room  for 
his  men  to  occupy  during  the  coming  cold  weather, 
a  portable  sawmill  was  added  to  his  outfit,  and  as 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  489 

soon  as  the  swamp  froze  sufficiently,  and  snow  came, 
he  began  hauling  out  all  available  and  valuable  tim- 
ber. More  life  and  more  visitors  came  to  the  town, 
Bascom's  store  was  the  scene  of  greater  activity 
and  divided  honors  with  Sam's  hotel  as  evening 
loafing  place  for  the  Old  Guard  and  general  news 
agency  for  Oakdale.  A  few  more  traveling  men, 
scenting  business  from  afar,  and  in  advance  of  it, 
as  always,  made  that  town  an  objective  point,  heard 
what  was  in  prospect,  and  spread  the  tidings  broad- 
cast. In  fact,  and  as  invariably  happens,  these 
emissaries  of  trade  and  progress,  first  to  locate  a 
good  hotel  or  customer,  were  also  first  to  inform 
the  outer  world  that  Oakdale  had  woke  up  from  its 
lethargy,  that  an  enterprising  firm  was  erecting  a 
big  dam  to  supply  it  with  power,  that  new  indus- 
tries were  soon  to  locate  there,  factories  to  be  built 
and  new  dwellings,  a  harbor  was  to  be  created, 
and  a  trolley  line  to  connect  it  with  Barre  soon 
to  be  established.  Thus  were  made  known  all  the 
details  of  Stacy's  original  air  castle,  soon  to  eventu- 
ate and  become  facts. 

Hazel's  future  also  became  assured  in  the  minds 
of  all,  for  a  diamond  solitaire  flashing  from  her  left 
hand  the  next  Sunday  after  Thanksgiving  told  her 
love  story  and  its  outcome  as  naught  else  could. 
Congratulations  and  cordial  good  wishes  came  to 


490  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

her  in  abundance,  for  she  was  well  beloved  by  all, 
and  the  chorus  of  "  I  told  you  so's,"  and  "  I  knew 
it  would  happen,"  spread  apace.  She  and  Stacy, 
now  known  to  be  engaged,  became  the  cynosure  of 
all  eyes  each  Sunday,  and  also,  the  target  of  a  few 
mildly  envious  glances  from  young  and  lonely  maids 
as  well. 

But  the  one  whose  life  was  to  be  most  upset, 
whose  future  was  to  become  barren,  cheerless,  un- 
loved, lonely  and  desolate,  yet  who  would  never 
complain  or  hint  it  ever,  was  Uncle  Asa  himself! 
"  I  want  ye  to  gin  up  the  school  now,  girlie,"  he 
said  to  her  the  next  day  after  Hazel  had  made  her 
half-pathetic  confession,  "  'n'  for  two  reasons. 
Fust,  he  is  perty  high  strung  'n'  won't  jist  relish 
havin'  the  gal  he's  cal'latin'  to  marry  walkin'  three 
miles  a  day  to  arn  a  matter  o'  forty  dollars  a  month, 
'n'  I  don't  want  it  either.  Then  ag'in,  ye  must  be- 
gin thinkin'  how  he's  goin'  to  think  'n'  feel  on  all 
that  consarns  ye  both  from  now  on.  In  a  way,  yew 
two  hev  become  ez  one,  which  is  nat'ral,  'n'  ye  must 
figger  that  way  in  all  ye  feel  'n'  do.  Thar's  also 
'nother  reason  with  me.  He'll  want  ye  to  set  the 
day  'long  next  May  or  June ;  it's  the  marryin'  time, 
'n'  it's  jist  ez  well  ye  do.  I  shall  hate  to  lose  ye, 
nobody  knows  how  much,  nor  never  will,  but  thar 
ain't  nothin'  gained  by  markin'  time  too  long;  jist 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  491 

long  'nuff  to  git  a  good  ready,  then  go  ahead  in 
the  march  o'  life  'n'  pursuit  o'  happiness.  Now 
this  bein'  the  case,  ez  'twill  be,  all  I  kin  hev  o'  you 
is  'bout  six  months  more,  'n'  not  many  evenin's  o' 
them  either.  But  what  time  thar  is,  I  want,  every 
wakin'  minute  on't,  'n'  when  ye  go,  I'm  goin'  to  jist 
grin  'n'  bear  it,  thinkin'  it's  fer  the  best,  'n'  yew're 
happy." 

Of  course  Hazel  assured  him  that  she  had  no 
intention  of  deserting  him  in  six  months  or  six 
years  even !  That  while  she  had  said  "  yes  "  to 
Stacy's  proposal,  it  was  with  a  "  sometime  "  and 
"  long-way-off  "  proviso,  and  then  only  in  her  own 
good  time,  will,  and  pleasure. 

"  I  have  said  I  never  intended  to  leave  you, 
father,  and  I  meant  it,"  she  assured  him  in  conclu- 
sion, "  and  you  know  why  I  feel  so.  I  presume  I 
can  be  happy  with  Stacy,  but  you  are  still  first  in  my 
feelings,  and  he  can  wait.  It  won't  hurt  him,  either, 
and  it's  better  he  should  do  so,  and  learn  all  my 
faults  before  we  take  the  fatal  step;  also  give  me 
time  to  learn  his,  for  I  am  not  sure  he  is  quite 
perfect  yet.  You  once  said  one  person  needed 
to  winter  and  summer  another  to  know  him.  Now 
I  am  going  to  heed  your  advice  and  winter  and  sum- 
mer Stacy  may  be  two  or  three  times  before  I  give 
myself  to  him  for  good." 


492  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

"  That's  good  sense,  girlie,"  her  father  responded, 
smiling  at  her  benignly  and  in  wise  manner,  "  but 
'twon't  work  out  the  way  ye  figger.  Ye  may  think 
ye  see  faults  in  him  now;  they  won't  seem  so  arter 
a  month  or  two  o'  courtin',  cause  that's  a  part  o' 
Natur'  V  the  laws  o'  love.  If  he's  fit  to  be  yewrs 
'n'  yew  his,  ye'll  both  feel  more  sure  on't  day  by 
day,  and  perty  fast,  too,  or  ye'd  better  not  hitch  up 
at  all.  I  cal'late,  too,  ye'd  do  the  same  if  ye  wa'n't 
fitted  fer  one  'nother.  It's  a  kind  o'  head-'n'-heart 
crazy  spell,  this  fallin'  in  love  is,  'n'  ez  fer  seein' 
faults  while  it  lasts,  ye  won't  and  can't.  Ye've  got 
to  jist  shut  your  eyes,  go  it  blind,  'n'  say,  '  Hope  to 
God  it'll  pan  out  all  right.'  It  may,  'n'  it  may  not, 
that's  the  luck  o'  life,  but  yew  can't,  'n'  no  gal  ever 
did  see  any  serious  faults  in  a  man  arter  she'd  said 
'  yes '  to  him.  I  think  yew  two'll  pan  out  all  right 
'n'  be  happy.  If  I  hadn't,  I'd  never  took  ye  both 
down  to  the  shore  that  fust  day  'n'  gin  ye  the  chance 
o'  meetin'  ez  I  did.  The  fact  is,  I  got  a  line  on 
him  the  day  I  took  him  fishin'  fust,  I've  kep'  watch 
o'  him  since,  clusser'n  you  hev,  knowin'  what  was 
brewin',  'n'  now,  not  bein'  in  love  with  him  myself, 
I  kin  see  him  better'n  yew  kin." 

What  her  father  wished  and  believed  was  law 
with  Hazel,  and  while  conscious  that  this  new  and 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  493 

sweet  illusion  would,  or  might  blind  her  to  Stacy's 
faults,  she  was  sure  that  her  father  saw  him  as  he 
was  and  trusted  him  accordingly.  Beyond  that 
or  beneath  it,  lay  the  stronger  tie  of  filial  affection 
that  made  her  feel  this  new  bond  to  be  secondary, 
and  her  father  first  in  any  and  all  matters  pertaining 
to  his  happiness.  When  Stacy  came,  as  he  now  did 
almost  every  evening,  she  would  permit  only  a 
seldom  all-by-themselves  one  for  him,  but  her  father 
must  share  it  in  his  easy  chair  by  the  fire ;  and  while, 
like  all  lovers,  they  now  and  then  secured  a  brief 
privacy,  it  was  short  and,  of  course  —  sweet.  In 
fact,  as  may  be  inferred  from  Hazel's  make-up  and 
mental  scope,  the  soft  nothings  and  cozy-corner 
caressings  of  average  lovers  were  not  for  her.  In 
this  connection  she  now  recalled  an  observation  her 
father  had  once  made  years  before  to  a  nephew 
about  to  be  married. 

"  Go  a  leetle  slow,  my  boy,  a  leetle  slow  in  this 
ere  love  business,"  he  had  said  to  him  then,  "  'n' 
don't  be  wantin'  to  kiss  her  all  the  time,  fust  go  off. 
Jist  rec'lect  ye've  got  a  good  many  years  on't  ahead, 
'n'  ye  kin  kiss  her  when  ye  want  to,  'n'  when  ye 
don't  want  to !  " 

With  Hazel,  and  in  line  with  her  valuation  of 
herself  and  her  readiness  for  becoming  bored,  she 


494  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

did  not  intend  to  permit  any  "  not  wanted  "  kisses 
from  Stacy,  or  allow  the  Ogre  of  Satiety  to  enter 
their  garden. 

In  deference  to  her  father's  wishes,  she  gave  up 
her  school  at  close  of  the  fall  term  soon  after 
Thanksgiving,  and  now  with  a  few  more  late  Indian 
Summer  days  fortunately  vouchsafed  them,  she  and 
her  father  began  to  make  the  most  of  them.  Of 
course  there  were  trips  to  the  shore  where  she,  well 
wrapped,  kept  him  company,  and  to  watch  him  pull 
his  lobster  pots  was  one  pleasure.  They  dug  clams, 
cooked  cozy  little  dinners  of  sea  food  and  ate  them 
there  as  they  had  done  countless  times  since  her 
childhood,  and  on  the  same  oft-used  table,  or  if  too 
cold,  in  the  ancient  fish  house.  They  took  long 
strolls  on  the  beach,  hand  in  hand,  watching  the  sea 
gulls,  the  incoming  waves,  and  finding  queer  bits  of 
wreckage  and  the  floatsam  and  jetsam  of  the  sea 
cast  up  by  them.  They  gathered  quantities  of 
shells,  curiously  worn  and  polished  stones,  and 
sailors'  money  purses,  like  two  children,  and  leaving 
them  in  the  fish  house  for  a  future  use  they  both 
understood  intuitively  but  never  mentioned;  and 
one  day,  when  a  half-gale  forbade  any  pulling  of 
pots,  they  devoted  the  most  of  their  time  to  picking 
up  driftwood  and  keeping  a  fire  going  within  a 
wind-sheltered  nook  amid  the  sand  dunes.  To  this 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  495 

nook,  also,  Uncle  Asa  brought  his  few  cooking 
utensils  and  boards  from  the  table,  and  after  making 
ready  to  cook  a  dinner,  left  Hazel  here  to  watch  the 
fire  while  he  secured  a  mess  of  clams  near  the  bor- 
ders of  the  upshooting  rush  of  monster  billows.  In 
this  "  wind-loved  coign,"  as  Hazel  named  it,  he,  a 
little  later,  steamed  his  catch  of  clams,  broiled  a 
couple  of  lobsters  taken  from  his  car  inside  of  the 
sandspit,  made  a  pot  of  coffee,  and  here,  thus  pro- 
tected and  kept  warm,  not  ten  rods  from  the  white- 
crested  breakers  booming  and  crashing  on  the  shore, 
they  ate  what  was  their  last  dinner  beside  the  ocean. 
A  few  days  later,  and  so  cold  that  her  father  would 
not  bring  Hazel,  he  came  down,  took  up  his  pots 
and  bait  net,  drew  his  lobster  car  ashore  and  took 
out  the  few  left  in  it,  also  stored  and  packed  all  his 
belongings  in  or  near  the  fish  house.  Then,  and 
so  like  a  lover  was  he  towards  his  well-beloved 
girlie,  he  gathered  driftwood,  built  a  fire  within  the 
wind-protected  nook  and  cooked  and  ate  his  dinner 
here  —  all  alone. 

"  I  s'pose  I've  got  to  git  used  to  it,"  he  now  said 
to  himself,  reflectively,  and  freshening  the  fire  after 
the  meal  while  he  smoked,  "  but  it's  goin'  to  come 
hard,  mighty  hard!  Curis,  curis,  how  our  feelin's 
is  all  thar  is  to  livin'  an'  doin'  all  the  time,  'n'  all 
fer  somebody  else?  Fust,  it  was  her  mother,  then 


496  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

Hazel,  'n'  now  —  wal,  now  God  only  knows  how 
I'm  goin'  to  git  along  'n'  stand  it,  'n'  He  won't  tell ! 
Nothin'  ahead  fer  me  but  a  six-foot  hole,  'n'  soon, 
too,  mebbe  the  sooner  the  better!  Wal,  it's  all  fer 
the  best  'n'  her,  all  fer  the  best,  but  it's  hard !  " 

Then  this  true  philosopher  who  had  always  lived 
for  others,  tried  to  see  the  silver  lining  and  hear 
larks  in  the  sky,  and  was  now  ready  to  face  an  un- 
loved old  age  and  grim  death,  believing  that  all  was 
for  the  best,  added  more  fuel  to  the  fire,  filled  and 
lit  his  pipe  anew,  and  sat  and  watched  the  flames  a 
little  longer  in  solitude.  Later,  he  took  a  long  look 
around  this  dear,  loved  spot,  the  miles  of  lonely 
shore,  the  sand  dunes  rising  back  of  it,  the  clump  of 
almost  leafless  scrub  oaks  where  his  table  stood,  the 
blackened  fireplace  stones  and  fish  house,  and  said, 
"  Good-bye,  old  spot,  till  spring  comes,"  then  rowed 
up  the  winding  creek,  feeling  that  he  had  bade  adieu 
to  the  only  friend  of  his  few  remaining  years. 

Winter  and  snow  came  next  to  Oakdale,  and  a 
shut-in  life  for  Uncle  Asa,  with  chores  and  wood- 
chopping  his  only  diversion,  except  the  always  too- 
short  evenings  while  Hazel  played  or  sang,  or  else 
used  all  her  arts  to  draw  him  into  conversation  with 
Stacy  and  herself.  He  made  occasional  journeys 
to  the  dam  site,  however,  to  visit  with  Stacy,  watch 
its  growing  progress  in  spite  of  snow  and  winter 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  497 

cold,  hear  the  ring  of  axes  far  away  in  the  swamp 
and  the  crash  of  falling  trees  again,  or  the  newer 
chirr  and  whirr  of  the  movable  sawmill,  now  reduc- 
ing logs  to  boards  and  beams  for  the  power  house. 
And  here,  one  day,  he  asked  his  first  favor  from 
Stacy. 

"  I'm  goin'  to  build  me  a  shack  down  by  the  shore 
in  the  spring,"  he  said  to  him  then,  "  jist  a  two- 
room  one  in  the  pocket  whar  we  pitched  our  tents 
last  fall.  Not  much  o'  one,  either,  only  big  enough 
fer  me  to  live  in  in  summer,  some  day.  I'd  like  a 
fireplace  in  it,  too  —  a  fire's  a  heap  o'  company 
evenin's  —  'n'  jist  a  bit  o'  piazza  in  front.  Ef 
you'll  kinder  plan  it  'bout  right,  git  out  the  stuff 
this  winter,  'n'  haul  that  'n'  stone  enough  to  the 
shore,  I'll  pay  the  bill,  'n'  do  the  rest  myself  when 
spring  comes." 

"  I  will,"  returned  Stacy  briskly,  "  and  at  no  cost 
to  you.  Only  I  want  to  put  up  a  larger  one  than 
you  say  —  three  rooms  in  it  —  so  we  can  all  go  there 
sometimes  and  have  a  lot  of  comfort,  as  I  know  we 
can." 

And  so,  knowing  Uncle  Asa's  plans  and  intentions 
as  he  now  did  —  in  fact,  they  had  already  been  dis- 
cussed by  Hazel  and  himself — Stacy  set  about 
this  labor  of  love.  He  detailed  a  competent  man  to 
draw  plans  and  specifications,  the  frame  and  boards 


498  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

were  soon  sawed,  and  these  with  stone  for  under- 
pinning and  fireplace  were  next  hauled  to  the  shore. 
More  than  that,  and  meaning  to  surprise  Uncle  Asa, 
he  took  workmen  there  as  soon  as  the  first  spring 
days  came,  in  a  quiet  manner,  and  within  a  month, 
a  pretty  little  three-room  cottage  with  an  ell  for 
cook-room,  a  rain-water  tank  on  top  of  that,  with 
piazza  on  three  sides,  stood  where  they  had  once 
camped.  Hazel  was  also  informed  of  the  intended 
surprise ;  she  and  Stacy  made  several  trips  to  Barre, 
and  by  the  time  the  maples  enclosing  her  home  were 
growing  green,  the  summer  cottage  that  love  had 
built  for  Uncle  Asa  to  enjoy  his  shore  life  in  was 
all  ready  for  him.  Hazel's  thoughts  had  gone  be- 
yond her  own  new  illusion  and  plans;  and  every 
comfort  and  convenience  possible  for  her  father  to 
use  or  enjoy  here  was  added  by  her,  even  to  a  large 
photograph  of  herself  framed  and  hung  over  the 
mantel  above  the  fireplace.  Then,  as  if  to  add  the 
one  final  touch  most  suggestive  of  herself,  she  ex- 
plained what  she  wanted  to  Stacy:  a  rod-square  pit 
was  dug  in  the  sand  in  front  of  the  cottage  and 
filled  with  loam,  a  low  wall  of  stones  built  around 
it,  and  here  she  planted  or  set  out  all  the  flowers  it 
would  hold. 

To  her,  also,  knowing  what  was  in  store  for  her 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  499 

father's  feelings,  this  last  act  seemed  akin  to  the 
selection  of  a  burial  plot  for  him. 

To  acquaint  him  with  her  own  future  plans,  was 
also  perhaps  the  hardest  task  she  felt  called  upon 
to  perform.  So  much  so,  that  she  postponed  it 
for  weeks  after  they  were  agreed  upon  between  her- 
self and  Stacy,  and  the  date  for  their  wedding 
named  by  her.  But  it  must  be  done,  and  one  even- 
ing, the  first  one  warm  enough  to  leave  doors  and 
windows  open,  and  when  the  frogs  were  peeping 
and  piping  their  joy  over  returning  spring,  she  went 
to  her  father  after  Stacy  had  left  her  and  made  her 
confession. 

"  Father,"  she  whispered,  creeping  into  his  lap 
where  he  sat  all  alone  in  the  kitchen  and  enclosing 
his  neck  with  one  arm,  "  we  —  we  are  to  be  married 
in  May  after  the  dam  is  done,  and  I  —  he  wants  me 
to  live  in  Albion,  he  says.  Oh,  I  hate  to  tell  you, 
father." 

"  O'  course,  girlie,  o'  course,"  he  returned  with 
well-assumed  cheerfulness.  "  I  s'pected  that,  'n' 
it's  all  right  so  long's  yew're  happy."  Then,  as  if 
this  marked  the  beginning  of  the  end,  he  clasped 
her  with  one  arm  and  began  stroking  her  face  and 
hair. 

"  We  have  planned  a  little  surprise  for  you,  poppy 


500  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

'dear,"  she  continued  pleadingly,  as  if  to  soften  the 
blow,  "  just  the  prettiest  and  coziest  cottage  by  the 
sea,  and  all  done  now!  But  you  must  promise  not 
to  go  there  till  we  — we  go  away.  Then  you  — 
may  be  you  won't  miss  me  quite  so  much  after 
that!" 

It  was  all  said,  the  blow  given,  and  no  more  words 
needed  between  these  two  who  had  been  one  in 
feeling  so  many  years.  Only  a  little  closer  clasp 
came  from  him,  while  both  her  arms  were  around 
his  neck  now,  with  a  warm  flushed  face  and  tear- 
wet  eyes  against  his  wrinkled  cheek. 

For  a  long  half-hour  after  Hazel  left  him,  he  still 
sat  in  his  chair  living  over  bygones,  unconscious 
even  of  the  tall  clock's  solemn  tick,  then  arose  and 
went  outside  to  look  around,  as  he  often  had  before 
retiring  on  summer  nights.  The  brook  beside  the 
lane  he  now  followed  down  laughed  and  chattered 
as  usual,  but  he  heard  it  not.  A  half -moon  low  in 
the  west  outlined  the  winding  creek,  the  vista  of 
broad  meadow,  and  cast  a  silver  sheen  upon  the  dis- 
tant ocean,  but  he  saw  it  not.  To  the  right  lay  the 
village,  and  above  it  that  more  suggestive  one  with 
its  serried  rows  of  white  and  brown  stones.  Only 
this  caught  and  held  his  eyes  with  consciousness  of 
its  nearness  in  his  life's  journey,  and  that  Hazel 
was  his  no  more  in  love  and  spirit;  that  another 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  501 

soul  had  mated  with  hers  and  the  parting  of  their 
ways  was  at  hand. 

"  It's  got  to  come,  got  to  come,  V  the  last  o* 
askin',"  he  said  to  himself  resolutely  now,  his  eyes 
still  upon  the  rows  of  stones,  "  but  she  mustn't  know 
how  hard  'tis !  How  hard  'tis !  " 

Once  more  he  glanced*  up  at  the  starry  sky,  the 
moon's  bright  crescent,  then  down  to  the  bordering 
ocean  with  its  silvered  path.  This  he  now  scanned 
steadily  for  a  long  time,  as  if  it  promised  the  path 
into  another  life  and  another  world,  then  sighed 
and  turned  away. 

"  No,  she  mustn't  know  it,  never,  never ! "  he 
said  to  himself  once  more,  then  faced  about.  And 
still  unconscious  of  the  night's  charm,  the  rifts  of 
moonlight  glinting  through  the  half-leaved  maples, 
or  the  brook's  low  lullaby,  he  walked  with  bowed 
head  up  the  lane  and  entered  the  silent  house. 


CHAPTER  XLI 

WITH  some  good  luck  and  more  push,  Stacy 
was  enabled  to  place  the  last  cap  stone  of 
his  dam  in  position  a  week  ahead  of  the 
date  he  had  set  for  the  final  lowering  of  its  gate. 
Then  came  the  grand  May-day  bonfire,  or  a  hundred 
of  them,  scattered  over  the  swamp  area,  with  Uncle 
Asa,  Hazel,  Sam,  and  the  Old  Guard  watching  it 
from  a  hilltop,  and  that  night  the  men  were  paid 
off  and  given  a  concluding  banquet.  They  in  turn 
gave  a  sort  of  medley  concert  of  songs  and  danc- 
ing, with  half  the  townsfolk  for  audience  that  even- 
ing, and  next  day  all  but  a  dozen  of  the  most  skilled 
workmen  departed. 

And  so  closed  the  working  part  of  transforming 
Bear  Hole  Swamp  into  a  storage  reservoir  whose 
ultimate  possibility  was  the  completion  of  Stacy's 
air-castle  city. 

The  power  house  was  yet  to  be  built  by  the  men 
he  had  retained  for  that  purpose,  and  after  that  a 
cable  must  be  laid  to  transmit  its  electric  results  over 
the  hills  and  through  the  woods  to  Barre.  To 
entertain  all  Oakdale  with  an  old-fashioned  clam- 

502 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  503 

bake  came  next,  and  for  this  Stacy  now  prepared 
by  detailing  his  retained  men  to  dig  a  dozen  barrels 
of  clams,  and  ordering  an  ample  supply  of  lobsters, 
sweet  potatoes,  and  other  necessaries  sent  over  from 
Barre.  Uncle  Asa,  of  course,  superintended  this 
important  event;  Bert,  the  faithful  Ike,  and  Stacy's 
aunt  came  up  from  Albion  the  day  previous  to  it ; 
Hazel,  with  a  bevy  of  her  girl  friends  around  her, 
broke  a  bottle  of  wine  over  the  big  flower-decked 
gate  as  it  was  lowered  into  place,  and  christened  the 
dam  "  Our  New  City."  The  clambake,  served  on 
tables  under  the  pine  trees  just  below,  came  next, 
around  which  nearly  all  Oakdale  gathered.  Stacy 
made  a  little  speech  of  felicitation,  and  this  con- 
cluded the  first  part  of  an  episode  that  had  stirred 
the  hamlet  as  naught  ever  had  before,  and  was 
still  likely  to  continue  its  piquant  interest.  Hazel, 
with  the  tactful  consideration  that  was  hers,  insisted 
that  Stacy's  aunt  accept  the  hospitality  of  her  home, 
and  that  evening  Colby  -proffered  a  few  terse  con- 
gratulations to  Stacy  at  the  hotel,  that  may  well  be 
quoted. 

"  I  am  fully  satisfied  with  what  you  have  done, 
my  boy,"  he  said  to  him,  smilingly,  and  in  his  usual 
direct  way.  "  You  have  chosen  well  and  built  well 
so  far  as  the  dam  goes,  and  more  so  in  the  girl.  I 
am  not  surprised  you  fell  in  love  with  her  and 


504  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

forgot  Albion  for  eight  months,  as  you  have.  I 
should,  had  I  been  your  age  and  fancy  free,  for  she 
is  a  prize-winner  among  girls  and  well  worth  roses 
at  any  price.  Ike  can  manage  matters  here  while 
you  are  off  honeymooning,  in  fact,  there  is  no  need 
of  your  staying  here  after  your  wedding.  Our 
business  needs  you  in  Albion." 

And  so  Fate  and  cold  business  calculation  brought 
about  what  Uncle  Asa  knew  at  heart  was  in  store 
for  him  —  a  lone  and  cheerless  old  age. 

A  week  later,  it  was  consummated,  when  all  fem- 
inine Oakdale  and  many  of  the  masculine  element 
crowded  its  principal  church  to  witness  that  event. 
Of  course,  Hazel  was  a  beautiful  bride  —  all  brides 
are,  a  little  way  off  —  but  she  was  exquisite,  even 
close  at  hand,  and  Stacy  had  ample  reason  to  feel 
proud  that  he  could  now  call  so  sweet,  so  wise,  and 
so  tactful  a  maid  his  own,  for  weal  or  woe,  for  joy 
or  sorrow,  "  until  death  do  you  part,"  as  the  clergy- 
man said  in  conclusion. 

A  little  spread  was  served  at  her  home  to  those 
nearest  and  dearest  to  both,  during  which  Uncle  Asa 
tried  his  best  to  be  optimistic,  cheerful,  and  humor- 
ous, and  to  add  all  possible  good  cheer.  It  was 
forced,  however,  as  Hazel  knew  full  well,  for  she 
could  read  his  heart  as  none  else  could. 

"  I  want  ye  to  stop  V  say  good-bye  to  me,  girlie, 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  505 

tinder  the  apple  tree  where  we  counted  the  money," 
he  whispered  to  her  near  the  conclusion  of  these  fes- 
tivities. "  I  can't  do  it  here  'thout  givin'  way. 
Jist  drive  by  a  couple  o'  rods,  'n'  come  to  me  fer  the 
last  of  askin'.  Yew  understand." 

Then  he  bit  his  lips  and  turned  away.  And  only 
supreme  will  power  kept  Hazel  from  bursting  into 
tears  there  and  then. 

She  planned  the  parting  moment,  also,  with  her 
usual  tact,  even  requesting  Stacy  to  tell  the  driver 
just  where  to  halt  their  carriage  and  not  look 
around  to  witness  her  leave-taking  from  her  father. 

It  came  about,  also,  as  both  wished,  and  a  half- 
hour  later  Uncle  Asa  in  ambush  back  of  a  cluster 
of  green-leaved  bushes  beneath  the  apple  tree  — 
once  the  scene  of  another  touch  of  pathos  —  saw 
their  carriage  halt  just  beyond  and  Hazel  leap  out. 

And  the  next  instant  she  was  in  his  arms  and  sob- 
bing ! 

"  Don't  take  on  so,  girlie,  don't,  fer  God's  sake," 
he  whispered  chokingly  and  with  a  last  desperate 
effort  to  hide  his  feelings.  "  Ye're  goin'  to  be 
happy  'n'  I  want  ye  to  start  off  smilin'!  I  don't 
want  ye  'round  no  more  either,  I  tell  ye !  I  —  I  — " 
Then  the  rush  of  feeling  conquered  all  will  power 
and  shook  his  great  frame  with  mighty  force. 

"  Don't  think  o'  me,  'n'  don't  miss  me,  my  God's 


506  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

blessin',"  he  whispered,  now  kissing  her  upraised 
face  and  clasping  her  closer  still. 

One  long  moment  she  sobbed  in  his  arms,  unable 
to  speak,  then  he  pushed  her  from  him. 

"  Now  go,"  he  said  firmly,  "  'n'  God  bless  ye ! 
God  bless  ye  allus !  " 

And  so  they  parted. 


CHAPTER  XLII 

IT  was  almost  sunset  that  May  day  when  Uncle 
Asa  once  more  pulled  his  old  brown  dory  along- 
side the  little  wharf  in  the  cove,  stepped  ashore, 
made  it  fast,  crossed  the  ridge  of  sand,  and  looked 
over  the  wide  ocean  like  one  in  a  trance.  At  his 
feet,  almost,  the  incoming  swells  curled  over  and 
crashed  in  low,  booming  monotone,  and  upshot  of 
yeasty  foam.  To  the  left,  where  an  out-jutting 
curve  of  pebbles  met  them,  came  a  clicking,  as  of 
dry  bones,  after  each  receding  wave.  To  the  right, 
and  for  miles  away,  the  same  persistent,  sullen  men- 
ace of  defiant  sound,  along  the  white-fringed,  lone, 
and  lonely  shore.  In  front,  and  bordered  by  the 
purple  shadow  of  coming  night,  lay  the  broad  ocean, 
white-crested,  dim,  mysterious,  and  sublime. 

For  a  long  moment  he  stood  there,  hearing  only 
that  clicking  rattle  and  sullen  rumble,  and  knowing 
that  desolation  and  utter  loneliness  was  his  to  face. 
Then  he  turned  and  saw  the  red-roofed  cottage  Love 
had  built  for  him,  peering  out  from  its  coign  be- 
tween the  sand  dunes. 

507 


5o8  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

And  just  now  it  seemed  like  a  mausoleum  await- 
ing his  final  occupancy ! 

He  walked  slowly  towards  it,  grimly  conscious 
that  it  was  almost  that,  after  all,  and  his  plan  to 
find  peace  and  content  here,  as  hopeless. 

And  then  Hazel's  heart  and  soul  spoke  to  him! 
First,  in  the  little  circle  of  flowers,  now  abloom  in 
front,  next,  in  the  two  willow  rockers  side  by  side 
on  the  cottage  piazza,  and  more  lovingly,  in  the 
cozily  furnished  sitting-room  he  now  entered.  An 
open  fireplace,  with  white  birch  wood  ready  to  light, 
smiled  at  him  from  one  side.  Above  that  —  and 
next  noticed  —  was  a  large  framed  photograph  of 
herself,  and  beside  the  fireplace  a  waiting  easy  chair. 
A  jar  of  tobacco  stood  on  the  mantel,  two  bronze 
figures  —  a  fisherman  in  sou'-wester  and  girl  in  sun 
hat  with  a  basket  of  flowers  on  her  arm  —  flanked 
that,  and  a  pipe  rack  with  a  medley  of  pipes  filled 
the  space  between  picture  and  mantel.  In  one  cor- 
ner of  the  room,  also,  and  as  if  it  meant  to  recall 
Hazel's  last  visit  here  with  him,  stood  a  what-not, 
upon  which  were  all  the  shells  and  sea-curios  they 
had  gathered  then.  A  monster  bunch  of  lilacs  and 
roses  upon  a  center-table  perfumed  the  room  and 
proved  her  presence  there  that  day.  Beside  this  lay 
her  auto-harp  and  a  pile  of  books,  while  a  rattan 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  509 

sofa,  more  chairs,  lace  curtains,  and  marine  pic- 
tures on  the  walls  completed  the  room's  furnishings. 

And  yet,  while  love  and  money  had  been  lavished 
here  without  stint,  it  still  seemed  to  him  like  a  fur- 
nished tomb! 

"  God  bless  ye,  girlie,  God  bless  ye ! "  he  ex- 
claimed, after  his  look  around  and  eyes  upon  her 
smiling  face.  "  Ye've  done  all  ye  could,  all  ye 
could,  but  it's  you  I  need  most."  Then  and  dazed 
still  by  his  own  hopeless  mood,  he  drew  the  portieres 
aside  and  entered  the  next  room. 

He  found  a  table  set  for  three  with  snowy  napery, 
another  vase  of  flowers,  and  sideboard  loaded  with 
more  dishes  and  glassware.  And  opening  into  this, 
a  sleeping  room  with  white  iron  bed,  bay  window, 
straw  matting,  and  white  mull  enclosing  the  dress- 
ing-case mirror.  To  the  rear  of  this  dainty  dining- 
room,  was  the  kitchen,  with  stove,  ice-chest,  white 
sink,  curtained  shelves  and  box  of  wood  in  one  cor- 
ner. And,  as  if  his  plan  to  come  here  and 
fight  his  heartache  out  alone  had  been  understood  by 
Hazel,  he  found  ice,  meat,  milk,  butter,  and  two 
baskets  of  strawberries  in  the  ice-chest,  and  bread, 
cake,  and  pies  on  the  curtained  shelves!  All  that 
was  lacking  was  a  woman's  hand  and  care  to  cook 
and  serve  a  meal,  and  her  face  and  smile  to  add  its 


5io  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

welcome.  But  the  only  one  that  could,  had  gone 
out  of  his  life  for  all  time!  Was  only  a  memory 
now !  A  picture  on  the  wall ! 

To  cook  or  eat  now  he  could  not,  was  not  even 
conscious  of  hunger !  On  the  morrow  he  might  be, 
for  body  will  in  time  dominate  all  heart  or  soul,  all 
joy  or  sorrow !  But  not  yet.  And  so  with  bowed 
head,  and  all  that  had  been  done  for  him  only  add- 
ing to  his  desolation,  he  returned  to  the  sitting-room 
and  Hazel's  pictured  face. 

And  now,  a  new  pathos  was  adding  to  those  soul- 
ful eyes  by  the  sunset  glow,  and  a  more  tender  and 
pitying  smile  to  her  lips.  It  was  as  if  she  were 
looking  down  upon  him  from  a  world  he  could  not 
enter.  A  farewell  from  somewhere  on  the  shores 
of  time  where  light  and  life  and  love  still  ruled, 
while  he  was  entering  the  shadows  of  oblivion. 
Conscious  only  of  this,  that  but  a  few  more  years  of 
heart -hunger  with  naught  to  hope  for  awaited  him, 
then  the  serrated  village  on  the  hillside,  he  sat  down 
and  bowed  his  face  within  his  hands. 

"  It's  hard  to  bear,  harder'n  I  s'posed,"  he  said 
to  himself  now  with  grim  resolution,  "but  I've  got 
to !  Got  to  do  it,  that's  all !  She  's  happy  anyhow, 
that's  some  comfort !  " 

For  a  long  time  he  sat  there  in  the  silent,  darken- 
ing room,  eyes  closed,  face  bowed  upon  his  hands, 


THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS  511 

and  unconscious  of  all  else  except  his  own  hopeless 
desolation.  All  his  life  next  passed  in  review.  His 
first  boyish  illusions  and  ambitions,  the  continued 
living  in  to-morrow,  with  brighter  and  better  days 
beyond,  the  fair  girl  —  Hazel's  counterpart  —  that 
had  entered  his  life  midway  of  its  course,  Hazel's 
coming,  the  few  and  best  of  all  years  after  that, 
then  the  break  that  seemed  like  the  sun's  blotting 
out,  with  only  Hazel  left.  How  she  had  grown  into 
his  life  like  a  benediction  year  by  year,  the  count- 
less times  they  had  been  as  two  children  on  this 
very  shore,  and  finally  the  coming  of  this  soul-mate 
he  had  hoped  would  care  for  and  protect  her  future. 
That  had  come  about  as  he  wished,  but  it  meant 
more  to  him  than  he  ever  dreamed,  a  severance 
more  hopeless.  All  this  he  lived  over  in  the  silent 
room  with  only  the  waves'  solemn  monotone  echo- 
ing his  saddened  thoughts. 

Then  he  looked  up ! 

The  room  was  quite  dark  now,  Hazel's  face  had 
vanished,  and  only  starlight  outlined  the  nearest 
window. 

It  seemed  like  the  open  portal  of  a  tomb  to  him ! 

And  now  the  ocean's  voice  grew  louder  and  more 
varied.  A  child's  laughter,  a  woman's  sob,  a  mur- 
mur of  tones,  like  an  auto-harp,  and  woven  into  all 
the  faint  rattle  and  click  of  those  pebbles!  And 


512  THE  CASTLE  BUILDERS 

then  came  a  hollow  sound  resolving  itself  into 
"  Gone-away !  Gone-away !  Gone-away !  "  far  down 
the  shore. 

Footsteps  crept  around  on  the  piazza!  A  whis- 
per came  from  the  inner  rooms!  Hazel's  voice 
reaching  him  from  afar,  from  another  world  may 
be! 

And  hearing  this,  once  more  he  raised  his  eyes 
to  that  pictured  face  above  him,  but  vainly,  for  the 
pall  of  darkness  hid  even  its  frame ! 

Then,  without  hope,  alone  in  the  gloom  quivering 
-with  that  measured  requiem  of  the  waves,  he  bowed 
his  head,  a  great  sob  burst  from  his  heart  and  tears 
came. 

And  just  then,  like  a  spirit's  presence,  Hazel's 
arms  were  clasping  his  neck  and  her  face  pressed  to 
his! 

"  Why  must  we  love,  'n'  suffer  f er  it  ?  My  God, 
why  must  we  ?  "  he  whispered  to  her. 

But  only  the  ocean  answered. 


THE   END 


A  FEW  OF 

GROSSET  &   DUNLAP'S 
Great  Books  at  Little  Prices 

NEW.  CLEVER  ENTERTAINING. 

GRET :    The  Story  of  a  Pagan.    By  Beatrice  Mantle.    Illustrated 

by  C.  M.  Relyea. 

The  wild  free  life  of  an  Oregon  lumber  camp  furnishes  the  setting  for  this 
strong  original  story.  Gret  is  the  daughter  of  the  camp  and  is  utterly  con- 
tent with  the  wild  life— until  love  comes.  A  fine  book,  unmarred  by  con- 
vention. 

OLD  CHESTER   TALES.     By  Margaret  Deland.     Illustrated 

by  Howard  Pyle. 

A  vivid  yet  delicate  portrayal  of  characters  in  an  old  New  England  town. 
Dr.  Lavendar's  fine,  kindly  wisdom  is  brought  to  bear  upon  the  lives  of 

all,  permeating  the  whole  volume  like  the  pungent  odor  of  pine,  healthful 

and  life  giving.    "  Old  Chester  Tales  "  will  surely  be  among  the  books  that 

ibide. 

THE  MEMOIRS  OF  A  BABY.    By  Josephine  Daskam.    Illus- 
trated by  F.  Y.  Cory. 

The  dawning  intelligence  of  the  baby  was  grappled  with  by  its  great  aunt, 
an  elderly  maiden,  whose  book  knowledge  ofbabies  was  something  at  which 
~ven  the  infant  himself  winked.  A  delicious  bit  of  humor. 

REBECCA  MARY.     By  Annie  Hamilton  Donnell.     Illustrated 

by  Elizabeth  Shippen  Green. 

The  heart  tragedies  of  this  little  girl  with  no  one  near  to  share  them,  are 
told  with  a  delicate  art,  a  keen  appreciation  of  the  needs  of  the  childish 
heart  and  a  humorous  knowledge  of  the  workings  of  the  childish  mind. 

THE  FLY  ON  THE  WHEEL.    By  Katherine  Cecil  Thurston 
Frontispiece  by  Harrison  Fisher. 

An  Irish  story  of  real  power,  perfect  in  development  and  showing  a  truf 
conception  of  the  spirited  Hibernian  character  as  displayed  in  the  tragic  as 
well  as  the  tender  phases  of  life. 

THE  MAN  FROM  BRODNEY'S.    By  George  Barr  McCutcheon, 
Illustrated  by  Harrison  Fisher. 

An  island  in  the  South  Sea  is  the  setting  for  this  entertaining  tale,  and 
an  all-conquering  hero  and  a  beautiful  princess  figure  in  a  most  complicated 
plot.  One  of  Mr.  McCutcheun's  best  books.,. 

TOLD  BY  UNCLE  REMUS.    By  Joel  Chandler  Harris.    Illus- 
trated by  A.  B.  Frost,  J.  M.  Conde  and  Frank  Verbeck. 
•  Again  Uncle  Remus  enters  the  fields  of  childhood,  and  leads  another 
little  boy  to  that  non-locatable  land  called  "  Brer   Rabbit's   Laughing 
Place,"  and  again  the  quaint  animals  spring  into  active  life  and  play  their 
narts,  for  the  edification  of  a  small  but  appreciative  audience. 
THE  CLIMBER.    By  U  F.  Benson.    With  frontispiece. 

An  unsparing  analysis  of  an  ambitious  woman's  soul— a  woman  who 
believed  that  in  social  supremacy  she  would  find  happiness,  and  who  finds 
instead  the  utter  despair  of  one  who  has  chosen  the  things  that  pass  away. 
LYNCH'S  DAUGHTER.  By  Leonard  Merrick.  Illustrated  by 
Geo.  Brehm. 


simple  1 
father, 


GROSSET  &  DUNLAP,  526  WEST  26th  ST.,  NEW  YORK 


GROSSET  &   DUNLAP'S 

DRAMATIZED  NOVELS 

A  Few  that  are  Making  Theatrical  History 

MARY  JANE'S  PA.    By  Norman  Way.    Illustrated  with  scenes 

from  £he  play. 

Delightful,  irresponsible  "  Mary  Jane's  Pa  "  awakes  one  morning  to  find 
himself  famous,  and,  genius  being  ill  adapted  to  domestic  joys,  he  wanders 
from  home  to  work  out  his  own  unique  destiny.  One  of  the  most  humorous 
bits  of  recent  fiction. 

CHERUB  DEVINE.    By  Sewell  Ford. 

"  Cherub,"  a  good  hearted  but  not  over  refined  young  man  is  brought  in 
touch  with  the  aristocracy.  Of  sprightly  wit,  he  is  sometimes  a  merciless 
analyst,  but  he  proves  in  the  end  that  manhood  counts  for  more  than  anci- 
ent lineage  by  winning  the  love  of  the  fairest  girl  in  the  flock. 

A  WOMAN'S  WAY.     By  Charles  Somerville.    Illustrated  with 

scenes  from  the  play. 

A  story  in  which  a  woman's  wit  and  self-sacrificing  love  save  her  husband 
from  the  toils  of  an  adventuress,  and  change  an  apparently  tragic  situation 
into  one  of  delicious  comedy. 

THE  CLIMAX.    By  George  C.  Jenks. 

With  ambition  luring  her  on,  a  young  choir  soprano  leaves  the  little  village 
where  she  was  born  and  the  limited  audience  of  St.  Tude's  to  train  for  the 
opera  in  New  York.  She  leaves  love  behind  her  and  meets  love  more  ardent 
but  not  more  sincere  in  her  new  environment.  How  she  works,  how  she 
studies,  how  she  suffers,  are  vividly  portrayed. 

A  FOOL  THERE  WAS.     By  Porter  Emerson  Browne.     Illus- 
trated by  Edmund  Magrath  and  W.  W.  Fawcett. 
A  relentless  portrayal  of  the  career  of  a  man  who  comes  under  the  influence 
of  a  beautiful  but  evil  woman:  how  she  lures  him  on  and  on,  how  he 
struggles,  falls  and  rises,  only  to  fall  again  into  her  net,  make  a  story  of 
unflinching  realism. 

THE  SQUAW   MAN.     By  Julie  Opp  Faversham  and  Edwin 

Milton  Royle.    Illustrated  with  scenes  from  the  play. 
A  glowing  story,  rapid  in  action,  bright  in  dialogue  with  a  fine  courageous 
hero  and  a  beautiful  English  heroine. 

THE  GIRL  IN  WAITING.     By  Archibald  Eyre.     Illustrated 

with  scenes  from  the  play. 

A  droll  little  comedy  of  misunderstandings,  told  with  a  light  touch,  a  vent 
turesome  spirit  and  an  eye  for  human  oddities. 

THE    SCARLET   PIMPERNEL.     By  Baroness  Orczy.     Illus- 
trated with  scenes  from  the  play. 

A  realistic  story  of  the  days  of  the  French  Revolution,  abounding  in 
dramatic  incident,  with  a  young  English  soldier  of  fortune,  daring,  mysteri- 
ous as  the  hero, 

GROSSET  &  DUNLAP,  526  WEST  26th  ST.,  NEW  YORK 


A  FEW  OF 

GROSSET  &   DUNLAP'S 
Great  Books  at  Little  Prices 


QUINCY    ADAMS    SAWYER.      A  Picture  of  New 
England  Home  Life.    With  illustrations  by  C.  W, 
Reed,  and  Scenes  Reproduced  from  the  Play. 
One  of  the  best  New  England  stories  ever  written.    It  is 
full  of  homely  human  interest  *  *  *  there  is  a  wealth  of  New 
England  village  character,  scenes  and  incidents  *  *  *  forcibly, 
vividly  and  truthfully  drawn.    Few  books  have  enjoyed  a 
greater  sale  and  popularity.    Dramatized,  it  made  the  great- 
est rural  play  of  recent  times. 

THE  FURTHER  ADVENTURES  OF  QUINCY 
ADAMS  SAWYER.  By  Charles  Felton  Pidgin. 
Illustrated  by  Henry  Roth. 

All  who  love  honest  sentiment,  quaint  and  sunny  humor, 
and  homespun  philosophy  will  find  these  "  Further  Adven- 
tures" a  book  after  their  own  heart. 

HALF  A  CHANCE.  By  Frederic  S.  Isham.  Illus- 
trated by  Herman  Pfeifer. 

The  thrill  of  excitement  will  keep  the  reader  in  a  state  ojt 
suspense,  and  he  will  become  personally  concerned  from  the 
start,  as  to  the  central  character,  a  very  real  man  who  suffers, 
dares — and  achieves  1 

VIRGINIA  OF  THE  AIR  LANES.  By  Herbert 
Quick.  Illustrated  by  William  R.  Leigh. 

The  author  has  seized  the  romantic  moment  for  the  airship 
novel,  and  created  the  pretty  story  of  "a  lover  and  his  lass* 
contending  with  an  elderly  relative  for  the  monopoly  of  the 
skies.  An  exciting  tale  of  adventure  in  midair. 

(THE  GAME  AND  THE  CANDLE.     By  Eleanor  M« 

Ingram.    Illustrated  by  P.  D.  Johnson. 
The  hero  is  a  young  American,  who,  to  save  his  family  from 
poverty,  deliberately  commits  a  felony.    Then  follow  his  cap* 
ture  and  imprisonment,  and  his  rescue  by  a  Russian  Grand 
Duke.    A  stirring  story,  rich  in  sentiment. 

•y 
GROSSET  &  DUNLAP,  526  WEST  26th  ST.,  NEW  YORR 


A  FEW  OF 

GROSSET   &   DUNLAP'S 
Great  Books  at  Little  Prices 

THE  MUSIC  MASTER.    By  Charles  Klein.      Illustrated 

by  John  Rae. 

This  marvelously  vivid  narrative  turns  upon  the  search  of  a  Ger- 
nan  musician  in  JNew  York  for  his  little  daughter.  Mr.  Klein  has 
well  portrayed  his  pathetic  struggle  with  poverty,  his  varied  expe- 
riences in  endeavoring  to  meet  the  demands  of  a  public  not  trained 
to  an  appreciation  of  the  classic,  and  his  final  great  hour  when,  in 
the  rapidly  shifting  events  of  a  big  city,  his  little  daughter,  now  a 
beautifnl  young  woman,  is  brought  to  his  very  door.  A  superb  bit 
of  fiction,  palpitating  with  the  life  of  the  great  metropolis.  The 
play  in  which  David  Warn  eld  scored  his  highest  success. 

DR.    LAVENDAR'S    PEpPLE.      By    Margaret   Deland. 

Illustrated  by  Lucius  Hitchcock. 

Mrs.  Daland  won  so  many  friends  through  Old  Chester  Tales 
that  this  volume  needs  no  introduction  beyond  its  title.  The  lova- 
ble doctor  is  more  ripened  in  this  later  book,  and  the  simple  come- 
dies and  tragedies  of  the  old  village  are  told  with  dramatic  charm. 

OLD  CHESTER  TALES.  By  Margaret  Deland.  Illustrated 
by  Howard  Pyle. 

Stories  portraying  with  delightful  humor  and  pathos  a  quaint  peo- 
ple in  a  sleepy  old  town.  Dr.  Lavendar,  a  very  human  and  lovable 
"preacher,"  is  the  connecting  link  between  these  dramatic  stories 
from  life. 

HE  FELL  IN  LOVE  WITH  HIS  WIFE.    By  E.  P.  Roe. 
With  frontispiece. 

The  hero  is  a  farmer — a  man  with  honest,  sincere  views  of  life. 
Beieft  of  his  wife,  his  home  is  cared  for  by  a  succession  of  domes- 
tics of  varying  degrees  of  inefficiency  until,  from  a  most  unpromis- 
ing source,  comes  a  young  woman  who  not  only  becomes  his  wife 
but  commands  his  respect  and  eventually  wins  his  love.  A  bright 
and  delicate  romance,  revealing  on  both  sides  a  love  that  surmounts 
all  difficulties  and  survives  the  censure  of  friends  as  well  as  the  bit- 
terness of  enemies. 
THE  YOKE.  By  Elizabeth  Miller. 

Against  the  historical  background  of  the  days  when  the  children 
of  Israel  were  delivered  from  the  bondage  of  Egypt,  the  author  has 
sketched  a  romance  of  compelling  charm.  A  biblical  novel  as  great 
as  any  since  "  Ben  Hur." 

SAUL  OF  TARSUS.    By  Elizabeth  Miller.     Illustrated  by 
Andre"  Castaigne. 

The  scenes  of  this  story  are  laid  in  Jerusalem,  Alexandria,  Rome 
and  Damascus.  The  Apostle  Paul,  the  Martyr  Stephen,  Herod 
Agrippa  and  the  Emperors  Tiberius  and  Caligula  are  among  the 
mighty  figures  that  move  through  the  pages.  Wonderful  descrip- 
tions, and  a  love  story  of  the  purest  and  noblest  type  mark  this 
most  remarkable  religious  romance. 

GROSSET  &  DUNLAP,  526  WEST  26th  ST.  ,  NEW  YORK 


A  FEW  OF 

GROSSET  &   DUNLAP'S 
Great  Books  at  Little  Prices 

WHEN  A  MAN  MARRIES.  By  Mary  Roberts  Rinehart. 
Illustrated  by  Harrison  Fisher  and  Mayo  Bunker. 

A  young  artist,  whose  wife  had  recently  divorced  him,  finds  that 
a  visit  is  due  from  his  Aunt  Selina,  an  elderly  lady  having  ideas 
about  things  quite  apart  from  the  Bohemian  set  in  which  her 
nephew  is  a  shining  light.  The  way  in  which  matters  are  tempo- 
rarily adjusted  forms  the  motif  of  the  story. 

A  farcical  extravaganza,  dramatized  under  the  title  of  "Seven  Days'* 

THE  FASHIONABLE    ADVENTURES   OF  JOSHUA 

CRAIG.     By  David  Graham  Phillips.     Illustrated. 
A  young  westerner,    uncouth   and   unconventional,   appears  in 
political  and  social  life  in  Washington.     He  attains  power  in  poli- 
tics, and  a  young  woman  of  the  exclusive  set  becomes  his  wife,  un- 
dertaking his  education  in  social  amenities. 

"  DOC."  GORDON.  By  Mary  E.  Wilkins-Freeman.  Illus- 
trated by  Frarrk  T.  Merrill. 

Against  the  familiar  background  of  American  town  life,  the 
author  portrays  a  group  of  people  strangely  involved  in  a  mystery. 
"  Doc."  Gordon,  the  one  physician  of  the  place,  Dr.  Elliot,  his 
assistant,  a  beautiful  woman  and  her  altogether  charming  daughter 
are  all  involved  in  the  plot.  A  novel  of  great  interest. 

HOLY  ORDERS.     By  Marie  Corelli. 

A  dramatic  story,  in  which  is  pictured  a  clergyman  in  touch  with 
society  people,  stage  favorites,  simple  village  folk,  powerful  finan- 
ciers and  others,  each  presenting  vital  problems  to  this  man  "in 
holy  orders" — problems  that  we  are  now  struggling  with  in  America. 

KATRINE.    By  Elinor  Macartney  Lane.   With  frontispiece. 

Katrine,  the  heroine  of  this  story,  is  a  lovely  Irish  girl,  of  lowly 
birth,  but  gifted  with  a  beautiful  voice. 

The  narrative  is  based  on  the  facts  of  an  actual  singer's  career, 
and  the  viewpoint  throughout  is  a  most  exalted  one. 

THE    FORTUNES    OF  FIFI.    By  Molly  Elliot  Seawell. 

Illustrated  by  T.  de  Thulstrup. 

A  story  of  life  in  France  at  the  time  of  the  first  Napoleon.  Fifi, 
a  glad,  mad  little  actress  of  eighteen,  is  the  star  performer  in  a  third 
rate  Parisian  theatre.  A  story  as  dainty  as  a  Watteau  painting. 

SHE  THAT  HESITATES.  By  Harris  Dickson.  Illus< 
trated  by  C.  W.  Relyea. 

The  scene  of  this  dashing  romance  shifts  from  Dresden  to  St. 
Petersburg  in  the  reign  of  Peter  the  Great,  and  then  to  New  Orleans. 

The  hero  is  a  French  Soldier  of  Fortune,  and  the  princess,  who 
hesitates — but  you  must  read  the  story  to  know  how  she  that  hesitates 
may  be  lost  and  yet  saved. 

GROSSET  &  DUNLAP,  526  WEST  26th  ST.,  NEW  YORK 


A  FEW  OF 

GROSSET  &   DUN  LAP' » 
Great  Books  at  Little  Prices 

HAPPY  HAWKINS.    By  Robert  Alexander  Wason.   Illus^ 

trated  by  Howard  Giles. 

A  ranch  and  cowboy  novel.  Happy  Hawkins  tells  his  own  story 
with  such  a  fine  capacity  for  knowing  how  to  do  it  and  with  so  much 
humor  that  the  reader's  interest  is  held  in  surprise,  then  admiration 
and  at  last  in  positive  affection. 

COMRADES.    By  Thomas  Dixon,  Jr.    Illustrated  by  C  D. 

Williams. 

The  locale  of  this  story  is  in  California,  where  a  few  socialists 
establish  a  little  community. 

The  author  leads  the  little  band  along  the  path  of  disillusion- 
ment, and  gives  some  brilliant  flashes  of  light  on  one  side  of  an 
important  question. 

TONO-BUNGAY.    By  Herbert  George  Wells. 

The  hero  of  this  novel  is  a  young  man  who,  through  hard  work, 
earns  a  scholarship  and  goes  to  London. 

Written  with  a  frankness  verging  on  Rousseau's,  Mr  Wells  still 
uses  rare  discrimination  and  the  border  line  of  propriety  is  never 
crossed.    An  entertaining  book  with  both  a  story  and  a  moral,  and 
•without  a  dull  page — Mr.  Wells's  most  notable  achievement. 
A  HUSBAND  BY  PROXY.    By  Jack  Steele. 

A  young  criminologist,  but  recently  arrived  in  New  York  city, 
is  drawn  into  a  mystery,  partly  through  financial  need  and  partly 
through  his  interest  in  a  beautiful  woman,  who  seems  at  times  the 
simplest  child  and  again  a  perfect  mistress  of  intrigue.  A  baffling 
detective  story. 

LIKE  ANOTHER  HELEN.    By  George   Horton.    Illus. 
trated  by  C.  M.  Relyea. 

Mr.  Horton  s  powerful  romance  stands  in  a  new  field  and  brings 
an  almost  unknown  world  in  reality  before  the  reader — the  world 
of  conflict  between  Greek  and  Turk  on  the  Island  of  Crete.  The 
"  Helen  "  of  the  story  is  a  Greek,  beautiful,  desolate,  defiant — pure 
as  snow. 

<      There  is  a  certain  new  force  about  the  story,  a  kind  of  master- 
craftsmanship  and  mental  dominance  that  holds  the  reader. 

THE     MASTER    OF    APPLEBY.     By    Francis    Lynde. 
Illustrated  by  T.  de  Thulstrup. 

"A  novel  tale  concerning  itself  in  part  with  the  great  struggle  in 
the  two  Carolinas,  but  chiefly  with  the  adventures  therein  of  two 
gentlemen  who  loved  one  and  the  same  lady. 

A  strong,  masculine  and  persuasive  story. 
A  MODERN  MADONNA.    By  Caroline  Abbot  Stanley. 

A  story  of  American  life,  founded  on  facts  as  they  existed  some 
years  ago  in  the  District  of  Columbia.  The  theme  is  the  maternal 
love  and  splendid  courage  of  a  womau. 

GROSSET  &  DUNLAP,  526  WEST  26th  ST.,  NEW  YORK 


GROSSET  &    DUNLAP'S 

DRAMATIZED  NOVELS 

Original,  sincere  and  courageous — often  amusing — the 
kind  that  are  making  theatrical  history. 

MADAME  X.     By  Alexandra  Bisson  and  J.  W.  McCon- 
aughy.      Illustrated    with    scenes   from    the    play. 
A  beautiful  Parisienne  became  an  outcast  because  her  hus- 
band would  not  forgive  an  error  of  her  youth.    Her  love  for 
her  son  is  the  great  final  influence  in  her  career.    A  tremen- 
dous dramatic  success. 

THE  GARDEN  OF  ALLAH.    By  Robert  Hichens. 

An  unconventional  English  woman  and  an  inscrutable 
stranger  meet  and  love  in  an  oasis  of  the  Sahara.  Staged 
this  season  with  magnificent  cast  and  gorgeous  properties. 

THE  PRINCE  OF  INDIA.    By  Lew.  Wallace. 

A  glowing  romance  of  the  Byzantine  Empire,  presenting 
<yith  extraordinary  power  the  siege  of  Constantinople,  and 
lighting  its  tragedy  with  the  warm  underglow  of  an  Oriental 
romance.  As  a  play  it  is  a  great  dramatic  spectacle. 

TESS  OF    THE    STORM    COUNTRY.      By  Grace 
Miller  White.     Illust.  by  Howard  Chandler  Christy. 
A  girl  from  the  dregs  of  society,  loves  a  young  Cornell  Uni- 
versity student,  and  it  works  startling  changes  in  her  life  and 
the  lives  of  those  about  her.    The  dramatic  version  is  one  of 
the  sensations  of  the  season. 

YOUNG    WALLINGFORD.      By  George    Randolph 

Chester.     Illust.  by  F.  R.  Gruger  and  Henry  Raleigh. 

A  series  of  clever  swindles  conducted  by  a  cheerful  young 

man,  each  of  which  is  just  on  the  safe  side  of  a  State's  prison 

offence.    As  "Get-Rich-Quick  Wallingford,"  it  is  probably 

the  most  amusing  expose  of  money  manipulation  ever  seen 

on  the  stage. 

THE   INTRUSION    OF  JIMMY.     By  P.  G.  Wode 

house.     Illustrations  by  Will  Grefe. 
Social  and  club  life  in  London  and  New  York,  an  amateur 
burglary  adventure  and  a  love  story.    Dramatized  under  the 
title  of  "A   Gentleman  of  Leisure,"  it  furnishes  hours  of 
laughter  to  the  play-goers. 

GROSSET  &  DUNLAP,  526  WEST  26th  ST.,  NEW  YORK 


Stewart  Edward  White's 

Great  Novels  of  Western  Life, 

THE  BLAZED  TRAIL.  With  illustrations  by  Thomas  Fogarty. 
"  It  is  a  wholesome  story,  full  of  sinew  and  pluck  and  endur- 
ance, with  gleams  of  humor  and  touches  of  philosophy  and  play 
of  courage.  It  tells  of  the  young  man  who  blazed  his  way  to  for- 
tune through  the  heart  of  the  Michigan  pines."—  The  Critic. 

THE  CLAIM  JUMPERS.    A  Romance. 

A  tale  of  a  Western  mining  camp  and  the  making  of  a  man. 
DeLancy  Bennington,  of  an  aristocratic  Boston  family,  finds  him- 
self manager  of  a  mine  in  a  gulch  of  the  Black  Hills.  The  ten- 
derfoot has  a  hard  time  of  it,  but  meets  the  situation,  shows  the 
stuff  he  is  made  of  and  "  wins  out  "  in  more  ways  than  one. 

THE  MAGIC  FOREST.    With  illustrations. 

"  No  better  book  could  be  put  in  a  young  boy's  hands.  The 
sympathetic  way  in  which  the  children  of  the  wild  and  their  life 
is  treated  could  only  belong  to  one  who  is  in  love  with  the  forest 
and  the  open  air.  Based  on  fact  and  throbbing  with  life." 

THE  SILENT  PLACES.    With  illustrations. 

"The  wonders  of  the  northern  forests  through  all  the  four  sea- 
sons, as  well  as  the  contrasts  between  youth  and  age,  feminine  de- 
votion and  masculine  power,  the  intelligence  of  the  Caucasian 
and  the  instinct  of  the  Indian,  all  are  finely  drawn,  while  the 
knowledge  of  nature  informs  every  page." — The  Dial. 

THE  WESTERNERS. 

"  Belongs  to  that  brilliant  galaxy  of  novels  which  open  with  such 
promise  for  pure  American  fiction.  This  story  of  the  Black  Hills 
will  claim  its  place  among  the  best  of  the  American  novels.  It 
portrays  the  life  of  the  new  West  as  no  other  book  has  yet  done. 

CONJUROR'S  HOUSE. 

Was  a  shipping  center  in  the  fur  trade  in  the  great  days  of  the 
Hudson's  Bay  Company.  How  Ned  Trent  entered  the  forbid- 
den territory,  took  la  longue  traverse,  and  subsequently  the  long 
journey  down  the  river  of  life  "with  the  factor's  daughter  is 
ingeniously  told,  with  a  wealth  of  thrilling  and  romantic  situations. 

ARIZONA  NIGHTS.    With  illustrations  by  N.  C.  Wyeth. 

A  series  of  spirited  tales  emphasizing  some  phase  of  the  life  of 
the  ranch,  plains  and  desert,  and  all,  taken  together,  forming  a 
single  sharply-cut  picture  of  life  in  the  far  Southwest.  All  the 
tonic  of  the  West  is  in  this  masterpiece  of  Stewart  Edward  White. 

THE  MYSTERY.    With  illustrations  by  Will  Crawford. 

For  breathless  interest,  concentrated  excitement  and  extraordi- 
narily good  story-telling  on  all  counts,  no  more  completely  satis- 
fying romance  has  appeared  for  years.  It  is  mystery  and  adven- 
venture,  and  the  best  story  of  its  kind  since  Treasure  Island. 

GROSSET  &  DUNLAP.  Publishers,      I      ~-     NEW  YORK. 


000046247    3 


